East and West: Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science*

In modern times, science and technology have become dominant forces in the world, and Western civilization with its pioneering role in technological development is commonly seen as a symbol of progress and enlightenment. This has been associated with a strong tendency to glorify progress and evolution and to look down upon the past as a time of infancy and immaturity. It has also been repeatedly emphasized that the ideological and cultural differences between East and West are absolute and unbridgeable. This was most succinctly expressed by Rudyard Kipling in his famous: "East is East and West is West and never the twain shall meet." A large international conference that has as its main theme the convergence of the ancient and the modem and the synthesis of the Eastern and the Western requires, therefore. a special introduction. It seems necessary to review and describe briefly the dramatic developments in Western science and philosophy of the last few decades that inspired this meeting and made it possible.