limitations. We can put it to the best use only when we know what it
can do and what it cannot. Some scholars, dazzled by the spectacular
and soaring success of modern science, believe that the time is not
far off when science will have solved the riddle of the universe and
will be able to answer any question that we care to ask regarding man
and the world. The universe to them is a gigantic machine, which,
though immensely complex, can yet be understood fully and
exploited by human reason. This presumptuous attitude is hardly
justified and, if not corrected soon, can do us great harm. Wise men,
including great scientists, are aware that reason can never fathom
reality. What Shakespeare wrote in the seventeenth century is still
true when science has seemingly reached its meridian:
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of
in your philosophy.
The same sentiment is echoed even by some scientists of today.
Dr. Aitken, the Director of Lick Observatory, California, while
discussing the formation of the universe frankly admitted: "Of the
origin of the universe and its ultimate fate, we know practically
nothing”(1) Besides, there is no finality about scientific theories. With
the discovery of a new fact, even a well established theory may have
to be modified or even set aside. We cannot, therefore, place
absolute reliance on them nor can a philosophy of conduct valid for
all human beings, be built upon the shifting sands of scientific
theory. Dr. Crowther aptly remarks: "The last word of science on
any topic may perhaps be left for the last man to utter”(2) It will be
sheer folly then, if we were to depend on reason alone for acquiring
a set of right principles of conduct. Reason has repeatedly failed to
give right guidance in regulating social relations. Experimenting
with social affairs has often led to disaster. Kingship was tried at
first, then imperialism and finally democracy, and that too is on trial
today. Man has paid a heavy price for experimenting with various
forms of government – centuries of bloodshed, internecine wars,
revolutions, class struggle, and economic and political unrest. Man
is still yearning for justice, equality, freedom and peace. For two
centuries men have pinned their faith on democracy but there are
now unmistakable signs of disillusionment. Later on we will
undertake a fuller discussion of democracy.
Islam: A Challenge to Religion 110