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14
TULSI-PRAJÑA
an
It has been observed that in nature, harmony is the normal rule and conflict an exception. Members of the same species never kill one another. Man due to his gready behaviour has become exception to this natural law. Now the future of civilisation depends on the degree in which we can balance the forces of science and religion. The essence of education is religious which inculcates duty and reverence. Einstein (1929) stated that "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind" which has to be understood very clearly in the present day of science and technology. Gandhi (1924) also mentioned that "science without humanity" and "education without character" are the social sins. In an U.N. Conference held at Stocholm (1972) all heads of the States of the world met together and resolved that "all natural resources of world must be safe guarded for the benefit of present and future generations".
Now a days there is a great emphasis on the newly developed ethics generally called "environmental ethics". The ideas are not new, the environmental ethics were already existed in our oriental religions and cultures. It is a happy, sign that technologically developed western societies are also following these environmental ethics concerned with respect to all living things and appreciation for the beauty of nature. Situationally these ethics can be studied under
three categories : Current ethics
-Dominancy
-Continuous progress
-Based on ecosystem concept
survival of the human species depends on
the survival of other species.
-Respect for all living things
-Appreciation of the beauty of nature.
There is an urgent need to integrate environmental knowledge with examples and reasonable attitude into the educational (curricula for our to-morrow's survival. It is because the issues, challenges and solutions of human relationship to its environment are international in character and global in its vision. The curricular approach will bring changes in the attitude of the children and will create a social awakening among masses towards our environment.
Various religions of the world also speak about the protection of animals and plants. There is a provision of worship for various natural resources like trees viz. Peepal, Bargad, Aam, Imali, Mahua etc. rivers, viz. Ganga, Yamuna, Godawari, Kaveri etc., animals viz. cow, buffalo and even the Sun, the Moon, ocean, clouds, etc., in religion. Jain religion support the idea of equality in all livings
Transitional ethics
New ethics
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