essay
Traditionally most religions led us to believe that the universe is inherently meaningful, thus giving humans a sense of belonging to something of great importance. However, modern science seems to have made the classical hierarchical vision untenable.
While I believe all the great religious traditions of the world have major contributions to make in harnessing the scientific and spiritual imagination to create a life-enhancing future for our world, I shall focus especially on the potential contributions of Buddhism simply because that is my field of expertise. The areas in which I think…
Metaviews 069. 2000.08.21. Approximately 2141 words. Below is another installment in preparation of the Future Visions consultation in New York City. This essay is from Henry Stapp from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Henry Stapp did his doctoral work under the direction of NobelLaureates Emilio Segre and Owen Chamberlain. He created thetheoretical framework for analyzing…
Metaviews 066. 2000.08.17. Approximately words. Below is a Future Visions position paper from Bernard Haisch from theCalifornia Institute for Physcis and Astrophysics. The piece isentitled Freeing the Scientific Imagination from FundamentalistScientism. He is quite critical of the dogmatic reductionistmentality which dominates scientific culture today. Dr. Haisch is a high-energy astrophysicist, author or co-author ofover 100…
In the new millennium scientific discoveries and their applications in technology will occur at a rate unprecedented in human history, and their influence will be global. What contribution could the religious traditions of the world make to the future of technology and globalization? My examples come mainly from Christianity, but I will note some…
We must learn how to become cooperative problem solvers to avoid the ecological and social self-destruction toward which we human beings are rushing headlong in a confounding variety of ways.
Metaviews 062. 2000.08.10. Approximately 3264 words. We continue with the exchange of position paper or visionstatements as part of the Future Visions consultation on harnessingthe scientific and spiritual imagination. Our next contributor isBrother Wayne Teasdale from Chicago. Brother Wayne Robert Teasdale, Ph.D received his doctorate in 1986from Fordham University in theology with a concentration oncomparative…
In 1957, the year I entered college, the American Medical Association issued its “Principles of Medical Ethics.” Section 10 stated “The honored ideals of the medical profession imply that the responsibility of the physician extends not only to the individual, but also to society, and these responsibilities deserve his [sic] interest and participation in activities…
The Bible describes three different worlds, three successive experiments of a sort, each of them acknowledging greater imperfection in human behavior. In Eden, humans are immortal, vegetarian, and at peace. Outside Eden, where Cain Kills Abel, they are mortal and violent. After the Flood, they are no less violent, and, beginning with Noah himself, they…
On September 4, 2000 close to 70 experts will converge in New York City for a week-long conference entitled “Future Visions: Engaging the Scientific and Spiritual Imagination for the Well-Being of All,” held in conjunction with the State of the World Forum and the United Nations “Millennium 2000” summit meeting. Each participant brings expertise in…