Let intellectualism have a taste of its own medicine!

Intellectualism (rationalism) has led us from theism to atheism. We will have to retrace our steps back to theism. In the given situation, there is no other alternative but to let intellectualism have a taste of its own medicine. We will have to deploy intellectualism to tackle intellectualism and make use of logic to disprove logic. Evidences and examples cannot just speak for evil only. Taking advantage of their sheer strength, they can also be utilized to prove that the goodness of ideals is not just limited to achieving inner (mental and spiritual) peace only but can also help in attaining progress in the material world (e.g. money, possessions, etc.). If someone does insist on proving the legitimacy, credibility and usefulness of any truth (of dharma), we have resolved to accept the challenge and will indeed prove it the way that is intelligible to them.

It may seem somewhat strange that the eternal truths of dharma will have to get through the acid test of logical reasoning to earn its recognition. However, this has become the unavoidable necessity given that the today’s world is the world of ‘seeing is believing’. A father shouldn’t remain adamant in not giving a piggyback ride to a demanding child if it can help to appease him. If the world of science and rationalism is bent on not accepting the truth unless it can verified by logic, evidences and real life examples, then so be it. All we need to do is to change our style or methodology. It may need inventing some new ways or new means which may be too much of a hassle but shouldn’t be impossible at all. This is akin to someone compelled to learn a second language other than their native language which may be a bothersome task but can certainly be accomplished one way or another. It is in no way impossible!

-Pt. Shriram Sharma Acharya

Translated from - Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya’s work