In the field of modern science, there is a philosophical
conundrum called the Positive theory and Normative theory.
A positive theory is about what is and contains no judgment value. The data is not interpreted
through the lens of approval or disapproval. It simply states what is. Scientists analyze data without
approving or disapproving and simply state what they see or collect as
evidence. For example, there are 100 abortions taking place every month in the
US. This is simply a statement of what exists (does not imply value).
Now normative theory on the other hand is the opposite. It
puts a value to the data. It says what
ought to be seen. The normative people would say abortions are not
acceptable or abortions are acceptable. In other words approving or
disapproving the abortion scenario.
So in science this philosophical tug-of-war constantly exists between what is and what ought to be.
However, I am convinced that all scientists are normative and none are positive.
So this tug-of-war in my opinion is
an illusion. Every single scientist who
collects data interprets the data based on his or her value system and hence
inherently biases the data. A human being by nature is born and raised in a
particular environment. So a human being reacts to the external world based on
this external conditioning. In fact the conditioning is so strong that human
beings cannot see it any other way.
This environmental conditioning coupled with individual
human desires transpires into value systems and these values express itself
through scientific phenomenon. This is true for Darwin as much as it is for Newton
and many others like them. Darwin was against religion in some ways and Newton
for it. Both considered giants in their own rights. But the difference is
Darwin wanted to see what he wanted to see in nature and used that as evidence
to push his value system. Newton on the other hand also wanted to collect
evidence to back his religious beliefs. The bottom line is although both
scientists used unbiased research methodology to arrive at certain conclusions;
still it is their value systems that were projected and put at the helm of
scientific breakthroughs.
Research, data, and scientific knowledge are boon to
society. It is a manifestation of higher intelligence to help us transcend the
gross necessities of life. Technically, research should elevate our quality of
life to higher strata, not degrade it. So in one sense research and knowledge
is simply a tool or medium with which man can transcend from a lower
consciousness to a much higher pristine consciousness. Therefore science and
research (tool) is only as good as the person handling it. If the value system
of the scientists’ is grossly embedded in simply extending physical &
mental pleasures, then the tool of science and research will be misused or in
fact abused. This is what is happening in today’s world in the name of science.
Scientists who claim to be unbiased and valueless actually have a value and
want to push that value onto others.
For example, Richard Dawkins who is famous for his atheistic stand in
society cannot claim to be scientific because he has a value that “belief in
God is nonsense” and he uses scientific data to push his value onto the world.
Otherwise, what need is there to revolt against the existence of God in such a
public & bombastic fashion, the same need as much a religionist would do to
push his value of surrender to God in a public way. Yet Richard Dawkins rebukes
religionists for having a value (rather sentimentally) towards God. His primary
distinction is I have evidence and you (religionists) have no evidence. By
focusing the conversation on evidence, Dawkins removes the concept of sentimental
value. But Dawkins is no better a sentimentalist than anybody else. He uses the
“lack of evidence” as the evidence to prove his rather rational value that God
does not exist. But lack of evidence does not imply “no” or “absence of”
evidence. If I lost something and cannot find it does not mean the thing does
not exist. If I cannot find evidence to prove God and the whole world cannot
find evidence to prove God, does not mean He does not exist, it simply means we
have no evidence. A true and unbiased researcher should conclude this –we the scientific community does not know if
God exists or does not exist because there is no evidence to show neither. It
is as simple as that. But a scientist such as Dawkins and many more like him
(unfortunately the majority) are convinced that lack of evidence of God means
God does not exist and hence have the right to push this biased sentimental
value upon others (all in the name of unbiased research).
To conclude my point, there is simply no such thing as
unbiased researcher where data leads to unbiased conclusions. This sort of
research is few and far between. The reality, however, is science and research
(tool) is created and pushed by scientists to push their values (be it personal
or institutional). It is this value that is being pushed in the name of
science. There is no problem to hold values as it is natural, however, the
problem arises when these values degrade society into mindless robots who are
told that economic development and social well being is the ultimate goal of
life (no need for a spiritual God centric life). It is these mundane values
(and not evidence and data) that is being pushed in the name of unbiased knowledge and is considered superior to any other form of knowledge in today's world.
Hare Krishna
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