From Lunyu December 24, 2001 In the highly developed technological society of today, the problems that face the public include environmental, air, and water pollution brought on by misapplication of technology, declining morality and increasing social and economic turmoil. Many people may have noticed that the human world is becoming increasingly devoid of spiritual content as technology develops. Many people may ask, Where will todays science lead us? What is the direction of future developments in science and technology? If humanity can calmly take a fresh look at this so-called development and progress, it might choose a new direction for future development. Mankind cannot just watch shadows on the cave wall anymore. A way to access truth is desperately needed. It is time for mankind to think outside the box and explore a new path for the future development of science and culture, to provide pure insight to those with open minds and pioneering spirits. 1) Modern Science Has Its Limits Modern science has changed the way humans live over the last 200 years. Technology seems to have made life easier, but at a very high price in terms of the physical and emotional side effects and the decline in moral standards and quality of life. Can mankind see the limits of science and technology? In the last century, for instance, nuclear energy has made the production of electricity much easier and cheaper. Yet in the form of weaponry, nuclear energy has also nearly been used to destroy civilization on several occasions. Manned flight has made the world very small, but has provided new opportunities for terrorism. Mankind believes that it is making progress and developing. It does not see that these so-called advances are in fact simply producing more problems. In other words, mankind is trying to solve problems caused by its own development without realizing that every solution may spawn another ten new problems. Mankind tends to follow science, which ignores all that lies beyond the boundary of that which can be measured by its instruments. 2) Modern Science Is Based on an Inadequate Foundation Modern science is based on empirical science and does not accept or admit spirituality. Its understanding of matter is wrong. The material world is all that exists according to science. It is therefore very difficult for science to discover anything beyond the boundary of the material world. Science has been made absolute and become an absolutist belief but ignores its boundaries. Today it is very difficult to explore the limits of science. Peoples desire for material goods is drastically increasing. Mankind totally abandons moral restrictions in the pursuit of fame and personal interest. Science only pays attention to peoples material needs. It excludes spiritual fulfillment while it has been used to encourage and strengthen peoples desires to conquer, invade and take away the material benefits enjoyed by others. It does not concern itself with the existence of spirituality or the concept of morality. Some of its advocates consider humanity as something separate from nature and the environment. They ignore the harmonious relationship between mankind and the natural world in which we live and, instead, their recommendations have led to serious problems and conflicts between humanity and nature. Following such recommendations as led humanity to damage and perhaps eventually destroy nature and the environment. The truth is, environmental problems are caused by the erosion of moral standards. 3) Modern Science Is Approaching an Impasse Has modern science brought a more peaceful and a more harmonious life for mankind? No, it has not thus far provided a better, more stable, and more harmonious environment for mankind. Instead, there is severe environmental pollution, drastic ecological damage, increasing conflicts between people and nations, continual natural disasters, new diseases, and so on. There is crisis, trouble, and uncertainty. Unrestrained application of modern science has set mankind against the nature that has nurtured it. The more intense this conflict, the more tribulations and uncertainty it will bring to mankind. So-called development simply leads to more new problems requiring further development. Eventually mankind will be caught in a vortex and will no longer be able to escape. Humankind will be more and more confused and lost. Modern science is reaching a dead end because it has excluded spirituality. The truth is, matter and spirit are united and cannot be separated. To maintain the development of science in a healthy way, it must accept spiritual content and morality. The damage to and pollution of the environment are caused by peoples unlimited exploitation of it as a consequence of lower moral standards. It is evidence of the decline of civilization and mankind. In the future, science and culture must respect moral principles. They must acknowledge spiritual experience and values. Only then can a new and healthy culture be born. Culture is not based on knowledge and academic research, but on the truth that gives guidance to mankinds way of living.