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WHAT WE EXPECT OF SCIENCE
Since “real” life is
possible only through knowledge, those who neglect learning
and teaching are considered “dead” even though they are still
alive, for we were created to learn and to communicate what
we have learned to others.
Right decisions depend on having a sound mind and on sound
thinking. As science and knowledge illuminates and develop
one’s mind, those deprived of science and knowledge cannot
reach right decisions and are always exposed to deception
and misguidance.
Those who are truly human continue to learn, teach, and inspire
others. It is difficult to regard as truly human those who
are ignorant and have no desire to learn. It is also questionable
whether a learned person who does not pursue self-renewal
and self-reform, and thereby set an example for others, is
truly human.
Science and knowledge should seek to uncover the nature of
men and women and the mysteries of creation. Any knowledge,
however scientific, is not true knowledge if it does not shed
light on the mysteries of human nature and the dark areas
of existence.
Status and merit acquired through knowledge and science are
higher and more lasting than status and merit obtained through
other means. This is true for two reasons: Knowledge will
enrapture its possessors, when they reach the other world,
with the pleasure of the positions acquired while in this
world. In addition, it will keep its possessors away from
bad morals in this world and cause them to attain many virtues.
Parents should feed their children’s minds of with knowledge
and science before they become engaged in useless things,
for souls devoid of truth and knowledge are fields in which
all kinds of evil thoughts are grown and cultivated.
The purpose of learning is to make knowledge a guide for your
life, to illuminate the road to human perfection. Any knowledge
that does not fulfill these functions is a burden for the
learner, and any science that does not direct one toward sublime
goals is only deception.
Science is to perceive
the reality of science,
Science consists in knowledge
of the self;
If, then, you do not
know your self,
I wonder what kind of
education you have had.
Appropriate language is an inexhaustible source of blessing
for the learner. Those who possess such a source are always
sought by people, like a source of fresh water, and lead people
to what is good. Knowledge consisting of empty theories and
unabsorbed pieces of learning, which arouses suspicions in
minds and darkens hearts, is like a “pile of garbage” around
which desperate and confused souls flounder.
Although science and all branches of knowledge are beneficial
to almost everyone, one cannot possibly acquire all of them,
for people’s life-spans and resources are limited. Therefore,
learn and use only that which benefits yourself and humanity
at large. Do not waste your life.
True scientists base their study and research on true reports,
correct expositions, and scientific experiments. As a result,
they have peace of mind and solve their problems with ease.
However, those who do not know the truth are buffeted constantly
by changing aims and methods, and so are always disillusioned.
People are esteemed and appreciated in proportion to the profundity
and content of their knowledge. The knowledge of those who
spread gossip and idle talk is nothing more than gossip and
idle talk. On the other hand, truly valuable indeed are those
who use their knowledge as a prism to perceive things and
events, as a light to illuminate “space” to the darkest points,
and to reach the most transcendent truths.
 
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