The Kovoors and rationalism

The thought-provoking article of appreciation by Prof K. Tennakone, head of the Institute of Fundamental Studies appearing in The Island of the 23rd instant must have drawn the attention of those interested in the subject of the supernatural and superstition. While I acknowledge with pride the role of Dr Kovoor (AK) and his son in busting the myths connected with astrology, and horoscopes I have to disagree with the views of this father and son duo on the question of religion, the mind, rebirth and gods and a Creator God.

A local team of distinguished medical Professors from the Medical Faculty of the Peradeniya University have published a book titled, ‘Trends in Research on Rebirth in 2001’ where in a credible case has been built for rebirth and the existence of a mind, or the stream of consciousness that leaves the body at death. Hence the strong words used by Dr Kovoor appearing in the said piece; “All those who claim to possess psychic … spiritual powers are hoaxers or mentally deranged persons suffering from…disorder from abnormal perceptions. Nobody has and nobody ever had supernatural powers. They exist only in the pages of scripture and sensation mongering newspapers. As AK was also an atheist, a rationalist a materialist, all in one, much of his theory goes against the grain of the philosophy of the main religions practiced in the world.

 In this connection I like to remind readers of The Island of the arguments brought out in support of the theory of the mind and the afterlife existence outlined in a book I received from a close friend, Dr. L. F. Fernando titled, ‘Why I am not a Buddhist’. Contrary to the expectations of the reader the little book states the case for the truth of the doctrine and philosophy underlying the teachings of Buddha such as the state of non-satisfactoriness, the ethical value of the Five Precepts, love and compassion towards other beings including animals, benefits of mindfulness and meditation, bad actions, bad karma which leadS to a cycle of deaths and rebirths etc. Where the author differs from the philosophy and the teachings of Buddhism is in regard to the existence of a Creator God.

AK, as an atheist, would have accused believers in an almighty Creator God as persons of a deranged mind. The author of this little book quotes the views of scientists, some of them being former atheists. But what is most interesting is the common sense but logical argument about the origin of life which couldn’t have happened without the intervention of a Creator God. This argument briefly, if I have understood him correctly, is that life began with the spontaneous formation of a complex chemical compound RNA(Ribonucleic[d1] acid) which gave rise to life based on proteins by means of a series of chemical reactions that repeat themselves, activated by catalysts (enzymes which are themselves proteins). The nub of the argument is that this randomly and purposelessly formed complex chemical compound has stopped developing further or forming other similar chemical compounds during the past 12 to 13 billion of years. Neither have there been similar, nor lesser nor more complex chemical compounds with an interdependent series of steps formed spontaneously. The author goes on to say that it looks as if the job of creation is over in the mind of the Creator and that there is no need for any more chemical compounds to be created or formed as the ultimate purpose of creation has been achieved. A final coup de grace is delivered when the author quotes the words of a Sri Lankan Buddhist astronomer Prof. Chandra Wickremesinghe who posits a “Cosmic Intelligence” for the origin of life in the universe.

Whether this is science or common sense imbued with logical argument based on probabilities is left to readers and especially the votaries of Drs Kovoor to decide.

Kanto Fernando, 

Pitipana