CelticBear’s Musings

Point of Inquiry’s latest episode:

Ann Druyan – Carl Sagan and The Varieties of Scientific Experience

Another amazing episode! I’d posted about another interview with Carl Sagan’s wife and co-author of many of his books, Ann Druyan: Cosmos, Sagan, and Spiritual Fulfillment.

In this interview she talks at length about the love Carl Sagan had for science, understanding, learning, knowledge, and love, hope, and faith. Not religious faith, but faith in humanity, faith in progress, faith in love.

Sagan loved so passionately. And he had great passion for learning. He was passionate about the cosmos and nature and it’s wonders and marvels! She expresses how the passing of ancient human data from the merging of genetic material at a time when two humans couldn’t be closer was more wonderful and beautiful than any myth about life that can come from religion. That God is the universe. If not in a “pantheistic” sense but at least in the sense that everything in the universe from the smallest one-cell creature to the galactic clusters are awesome, awe inspiring. God is not an intervening creature tallying the sins of each human, but is found in the majesty of the cosmos.

I couldn’t agree more. Take a look at my last post: This Awesome Universe, Galactic Clusters, Dark Matter “Photographed” and browse the zoomable image of a section of deep space. How can one not look at all these galaxies more massive than human comprehension, each containing nearly countless giant balls of burning gas like our own sun (some bigger) and not feel lightheaded and in wonder at the awesomeness of it?

Ann discusses how (trying not to get too negative and trying to just be objective) the ultimate in arrogance is the religious concept that even though humans have been on the Earth for a fraction of a second in geologic terms, and a fraction of a microsecond in cosmic terms, that supposedly humans, and male humans in particular, and a certain sect of male humans, are the sole recipients of God’s love.

On the other hand it is through science that we have true humility and understanding of both the smallness and beautifulness of humanity:

“Science may be slow to change on certain things, certain cherished beliefs, but the fact is science gives its highest rewards/awards to those scientists who can prove its most cherished beliefs are incorrect…. When a Newton, or an Einstein, or a Dawrin comes along, science is revised in a relatively short amount of time. Science is revised, and will be revised because science does not delude itself in believing in any absolute truth can belong to it.”

(paraphrased.) She discusses how he was such a humble man who was devoted to making science available to everyone, that when he received (some grand science foundation’s) highest award a couple of years after being blackballed by them for daring to popularize science for the unwashed masses, instead of mentioning anything about that he used his speech to explain in laymans’ terms why each of the other winners’ works were vital to the greater understanding of the world and nature.

He demonstrated for human rights. He fought for deescalation of nuclear weapons. He encouraged immigrants (and all citizens) to learn as much about government, know the Bill of Rights, and become active in being skeptical of the government and making it accountable. When he awoke from a near-death experience from a medical emergency, his first thought was to ask if Ann was OK. He was a selfless, beautiful champion of reason, love, knowledge, passion.

This is I guess my blog for the missed Carl Sagan blog-a-thon, I guess. The night before last I read the chapter in his “Demon Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark” regarding the deplorable level of education in America, and worse, the often prideful acceptance of how ignorant America is these days (or back in the 90′s when the book was written.) Worse for Sagan, is the lack of critical thought in the culture. How schools don’t teach kids HOW to think, and that’s the greatest sin.

It was very sad, scary. But, fortunately, Sagan had hope and faith. But not without work. Progress doesn’t just happen, progress must be worked toward. Must be fought for. We can hope.