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          Science

          According to Tolstoy science is the human activity by which one through the exchange of thoughts acquires knowledge. This refers in the broadest range to our whole daily informal exchange of thoughts (pg. 215). In its limited sense Tolstoy connected science with rational and reasonable communication of insights that origin from the religious perception. He associated science primarily with the social sciences that are occupied with moral and social problems. These social sciences explain the meaning of life with regard to moral issues, and are therefore in a direct contact with the religious perception. The dominant position in our modern society of the practical sciences had been a thorn in his side. The desire for an ever greater material abundance in modern society had been alienating these natural sciences from our religious perception. Tolstoy's historical analysis exemplifies that the excessive social appreciation of natural sciences arises only because of an insatiate urge for a greater consumption and more material pleasure. This science with its exclusive material motives had lost all connections with religious perception and is therefore corrupted.
 
 

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Last updated April 29, 1999 author: Drs. T. J.  Kuijl ©1995-1999. Comments are welcome and can be send via e-mail (click on e-mail) Quotations of the content of this article should mention the author's name and its source. Copies of this article must leave the text unaltered including the copyright reference. Dissemination of  electronic copies is not allowed.