Ancient Wisdom for a Knowledge Society

Abstract

The continuing explosion of knowledge in science and technology has ethical and environmental implications that have raised many questions of dignified human survival and growth. The reflections presented here build upon a perceived need for a balance between knowledge and wisdom to ensure a meaningful social survival in an utterly diversified universe. We, the people, can live in dignity only by granting dignity to one another. We should also remember that we are a tiny fraction of the population of claimants to power and recognition. The wisdom to guide us through these obligations lies in many sources, past and present, across the world. One such source, enervating and everlasting, consists of the practical and intuitive wisdom borne by the Indian upanishadic literature. A personal view on this literature is offered to illustrate its vitality and value for life and work in today's knowledge society.