Environmental Ethics

Author(s): S M Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 91

build hypothesis and then put it to scientific scrutiny by intensive and extensive experiments.
Some religions though do not subscribe to the theory of one almighty God, creator, controller and destroyer of the universe, yet accept the eternal entity, the soul and the continuity of births and deaths and ascribe destiny of good and bad, happiness and sorrow of a person, animal or other life form as a result of deeds in the previous life. Accordingly if a person is poor, disabled, suffers from diseases, hunger or other deprivations it is because of his misdeeds in his previous life. The facts are otherwise. If a person is born in a poor and deprived family, it is not his fault and children born in poorest families if given proper opportunities, do as good or even better than others who are born in affluent families. Poverty is a man - made social problem and can be rectified by symbiotic lifestyle. Naturally or accidentally disabled also have in-built capabilities to perform most of the jobs if given proper opportunity and training. Natural genetic disorders are also because of short or long term environmental impact. In symbiotic environment there are no harmful genetic mutations. The accidental disabilities are caused mainly by carelessness of person himself or others viz. non-observance of traffic rules. The positive aspect of theory of Karma (deeds) is that effect of past karma (deeds) can be rectified or minimized by appropriate deeds in present life. However attributing poverty, deprivation etc. to Karma (deeds) of past life is negating its real cause which is exploitative social system which can be corrected by symbiotic social order. It may be worth noting that life spans of people are increasing because of medical advances and facilities. The life span of any living organism is certainly not because of good or bad deeds in the previous birth of a particular soul. Scientists are now conceptualising to increase the life span upto 5000 years and more by nanobots, the tiny machines which when inserted in body will be cleaning the body from materials responsible for aging and
76 For Private & Personal Use Only