This book chapter critiques the dominant reductionist worldview, proposing a relational, interconnected perspective rooted in quantum social science, Eastern philosophies, and contemplative practices. It argues that Western emphasis on the “self” contrasts with Eastern views of selflessness, highlighting how this difference impacts sustainable development challenges.
Authors
Naresh Singh, Professor, Jindal School of Government and Public Policy, Centre for Complexity Economics, Applied Spirituality and Public Policy, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India
Sudip Patra, Associate Professor, Jindal School of Government and Public Policy, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, Haryana, India
Summary
The key foundational propositions in this chapter are that the world is ontologically relational, and the weaknesses of the dominant reductionist deterministic and transactional worldview need to be addressed. This leads to the presuppositions of non-duality, interconnectedness, oneness, illusion of separation of one another and from nature, and co-creation of reality as it is observed.
These foundational propositions are the basis of both the newer sciences of quantum social science, cognitive neuroscience, complexity theory, and contemplative practices like vipassana, mindfulness, the direct path of Advaita Vedanta, the inner development goals and applied spirituality. Based on these foundational principles, we lay down briefly central tenets which play roles of basic elements in our methodological section. The central importance of “self” and consequently of individualism in Western science and civilisation is in direct contrast to the lack of “self” in Eastern philosophical traditions like Buddhism and Advaita Vedanta. Indeed, self as ego is seen in these latter traditions as a fiction and the source of much suffering both individually and collectively as reflected, for example, in the challenges of sustainable development expressed in the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Published in: The Routledge Handbook of Research Methods in Spirituality and Contemplative Studies
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