Professor Ranade’s philosophy reconciles religion and science by advocating a rational mysticism, bridging the perceived gap between faith and reason. This approach recognizes the limitations of pure intellect in comprehending spiritual truths while acknowledging the validity and importance of scientific inquiry.
- Mysticism as a Valid Source of Knowledge: Ranade rejects the view that mysticism is irrational or antithetical to scientific thought. He sees it as a legitimate field of inquiry that can be approached systematically and rigorously. By freeing mysticism from “rusty chains of mysteriousness, inactivity and occultism,” he elevates it to a scientific doctrine, worthy of serious study and capable of providing valuable insights into the nature of reality.
- Science’s Limited Scope: Ranade recognizes the value of scientific investigation in understanding the physical world but also points to its limitations in grasping the realm of spiritual experience. For him, science excels at explaining the “how” of things but struggles to address the “why,” leaving questions of ultimate purpose and meaning unanswered.
- The Importance of Experience: Ranade’s philosophy emphasizes the importance of direct, intuitive experience as a primary means of knowing, particularly in the context of religion. He argues that intellectual dogmas and theoretical frameworks, while useful, cannot fully encapsulate the richness and depth of spiritual reality. True understanding, particularly of God, requires going beyond intellectual conviction and engaging in the transformative power of mystical experience.
- God-Realization as a Unifying Principle: Ranade’s philosophy centers around the concept of God-realization as the ultimate aim of human life. This principle serves as a bridge between religion and science by:
- Providing a Framework for Understanding Religious Doctrines: Ranade uses rational analysis to interpret and explain religious concepts, stripping away superstitious elements and highlighting the core truths that these doctrines seek to convey.
- Grounding Religious Beliefs in Experience: By emphasizing the experiential dimension of God-realization, Ranade connects religious faith with a tangible and verifiable phenomenon, aligning it with the scientific principle of empirical observation.
- Approximation as a Key Concept: The doctrine of approximation plays a crucial role in reconciling religion and science. This concept:
- Acknowledges the Limitations of Human Knowledge: It recognizes that our understanding of both spiritual and scientific truths is constantly evolving and that complete and absolute knowledge may be unattainable.
- Encourages Continuous Inquiry: It promotes an ongoing process of seeking deeper understanding, valuing both scientific discoveries and mystical insights as contributing to our ever-evolving comprehension of reality.
Ranade’s philosophy, therefore, does not view religion and science as fundamentally incompatible. Instead, he sees them as complementary ways of knowing, each with its own strengths and limitations. By advocating a rational mysticism, he seeks to synthesize these seemingly disparate domains, paving the way for a more holistic and harmonious understanding of the universe and our place within it.
Based on the book “Critical and Constructive approach of Prof. Ranade’s Philosophy by