When to Use Science
Pradeep B. Deshpande and James P. Kowall
Scientific theories are always provisional in that as more and more data are seen to conform to the predictions of theory, our confidence in the theory rises, but if a single data point were to materialize that contradicts the theory, then, that theory must be abandoned in favor of a new or modified theory.
Stephen Hawking (A Brief History of Time)
Science is the appropriate body of knowledge to use when the system fundamentals are well understood, but, when they are not, six sigma principles can be used provided measurements are available so data can be procured.
These two methods of solving problems cease to be useful when system fundamentals are not well understood and measurements are not available. Then, transcending reason remains the only viable method to solve problems and to make new discoveries.
Deep contemplation, and meditation or prayer are the means to transcend reason.
Type I discoveries can occur when an aspirant enhances his/her focus of attention and reaches a deep state of contemplation. These discoveries amount to connecting the dots in the ocean of existing knowledge.
Here are some examples of Type I discoveries that have come to the authors:
1. How creation happens
2. Rationale for how we come from the source and should want to return to the source. See this article on the Buddhist concept of Thukdam and this video clip of a Thai monk consciously leaving his body in about six minutes.
3. Why there is a flaw in the theory of evolution and how to fix it.
4. Proof that “something beyond reason” exists.
5. Proof meditation is key to transcending reason.
6. Proof, intuition can be purposefully inculcated. This is important since intuition is linked to leadership as leaders are often called upon to make split-second decisions at a moment’s notice (Intuition is knowing without the benefit of the five senses and the rational mind).
7. Success in transcending reason with meditation is accompanied by a dramatic rise in emotional excellence — a shift from negative emotions (anger, hatred, hostility, resentment, frustration jealousy, fear, sorrow) toward positive emotions (Love, kindness, empathy, compassion).
8. Scientific measurement of photonic energy is indicative of the level of emotional excellence.
9. Cultivation of emotional excellence is not an intellectual exercise; the required positive changes have to come about from within. This claim can be validated with a thirty-day self-assessment experiment.
10. The shift from negative emotions towards positive emotions is a well-posed scientific problem as emotions can be measured (EQ Radio, Bio-Well) and the process to bring about the positive changes from within is meditation, or yoga, known for thousands of years. The availability of a measurement device for emotions means progress can be audited.
11. In the absence of an adequate level of emotional excellence, the best of the best quality initiatives, including six sigma, do not and cannot deliver the best possible performance. Boost emotional excellence and the performance will zoom. See the article, The Secret of Exemplary Performance.
Type II discoveries can occur when the focus of attention is further enhanced, as in meditation or in prayer. In Sanskrit, Type II discoveries have been referred to as “Shruti” or revealed/heard, since ancient times. Type II discoveries cannot come about on the basis of existing knowledge. These articles, (https://newsindiatimes.com/commentary-how-discoveries-come-about-and-how-they-can-be-accentuated/) and (http://epaper.newsindia-times.com/2023_12_01/4/) present several examples of Type II discoveries.
Take care though, Type II discoveries must nonetheless obey the scrutiny of logic, and meet the constraints reason imposes on all knowledge. Such discoveries must be corroborated.
There is a mistaken belief in the West that products of reason, such as sciences, laws, policies, litigation, etc., are entirely sufficient to solve all problems and to make new discoveries despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
Why the mistaken belief?
Much of the human progress since the renaissance period has occurred due to the scientific discoveries, first in Great Britain and Northern Europe, and then in America. And these discoveries were all thought to be products of reason.
The mistaken belief in the primacy of reason is bolstered by the philosophy of the renowned 18th Century German philosopher, Immanuel Kant, which says, “All knowledge begins in the (five) senses, flows then to the understanding, and ends in reason. There is nothing higher than reason.”
The belief in the primacy of reason is so strong that most Indian scientists have convinced themselves that the scientific discoveries in the West since the renaissance period are all products of reason. This is especially tragic as India is home to a large number of Type II discoveries made thousands of years ago.
In contrast, the renowned Indian Monk, Swami Vivekananda asserts, “Indian thought dares to seek and successfully find something find something higher than reason.”
Swami Vivekananda visited the United States in 1893 to speak at the Parliament of World’s Religions where he received a rock star reception. Both Harvard and Columbia made him an offer to Chair a New Department of Eastern Religions which he declined. There are recent press reports of Swami Vivekananda’s surprising and continuing influence in the United States (The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal).
Actually, all discoveries occur when the focus of attention is enhanced and this is true for all the discoveries in the West since the renaissance period.
Smoking a pipe and engrossed in his famous thought experiments, Albert Einstein must have unknowingly enhanced his focus of attention to such an extent that breakthrough discoveries came to him.
In 1905, Einstein published four breakthrough papers, one of which earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921.
This must also be true of the other discoveries in the West since the renaissance period.
Humanity is facing a number of challenges: Global warming, renewable energy, desalination, etc., are some examples. In the hands of researchers working in these fields, the concepts in this article may hold real promise of breakthrough discoveries.
About the Authors
1Pradeep B. Deshpande is Professor Emeritus in and former Chairman of the Chemical Engineering Department at the University of Louisville. He is also president of Six Sigma and Advanced Controls based in Louisville, Kentucky. He is an author of eight books and over one hundred fifty articles in reputed journals that include Proc. Royal Society–UK, Chemical Eng. Progress, Ind. Eng. Chem. Proc. Des Dev, Chem. Eng. Science, among several others, and is a recipient of several international awards. He is a Fellow of ISA. pradeep@sixsigmaquality.com.
2James P. Kowall is an independent researcher based in suburban Eugene, Oregon. Jim obtained his MD from the University of Miami and a PhD in Theoretical Physics from Brown University. Dr. Kowall is a triple board certified physician (Neurology, Internal Medicine, and Sleep Disorder Medicine). He retired from private medical practice about a decade ago to spend time researching on the nature of ultimate reality. He succeeded in 2014. Jkowall137@gmail.com.
