I don't think there is anything worthwhile with regards to Evolution [biology] from the past Eastern sages. So it would be more effective to jump to Darwin's evolution and thereafter of the West.owl of Minerva wrote: ↑Sun Dec 05, 2021 7:28 pm I agree with Wiki’s definition of reductionism. I have responded in your “Humans are programmed for evil” with a defense of Physics, you may read it there, and outlined the reasons it is not reductionist but explanatory of the origin of phenomena.
Reductionism as “associations between phenomena which can be described in terms of other simple or more fundamental phenomena.” What is more fundamental than virtual particles that are arising in space-time. It is not possible to get more fundamental than that, other than peering into interior space which so far is not an option. What is fundamental cannot be reduced precisely because it is fundamental.
The other definition “that interprets a complete system as the sum of its parts” is done all the time. The brain being a prime example as causal to intelligence, individuality, mind etc. I would not be too sure about neuro-psychology, cognitive sciences etc. It appears to me that they too consider biology as fundamental.
The East whose culture goes back to the rishis (sages) of higher ages interprets evolution differently than does the West. They do not base it on biology which reductively “interprets a complete system as the sum of its parts.” What is unsheathed or liberated from biology is viewed not as a product of biology but foundational to biology. Physics in studying origins rather than outcomes can have a better perspective on which view is valid.
I did not mean to imply that you promoted the idea of a deity or believed in one. It appeared that your overseeing CEO type system was reminiscent of that concept. In your other post you said that the Buddha was theist and I refuted that assumption there.
I don't agree that Physics is superior.
Rather all the main sciences are equally important as parts to understand of the whole of reality.
Before all the sciences were on their own they were subsets of philosophy-proper [the managing director of life]. Even the various sciences and other knowledge are now on their own they still remain within the ambit of philosophy-proper*.
*philosophy-proper as opposed to pseudo-philosophy e.g. bastardized philosophy such as academic institutionalize philosophy or merely armchair intellectualized philosophy.