Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale stressed the importance of ethics and equality in guiding scientific advancements during a Silicon Valley event. He highlighted the risk of deepening social divisions if technological growth remains unchecked. Hosabale, speaking at Stanford University’s Thrive 2026 conference, underlined India’s approach of integrating science with spirituality in its civilisational knowledge systems.
Hosabale noted that Indian traditions blend empirical and transcendental exploration, emphasizing a holistic view that transcends human knowledge boundaries. He highlighted the interconnectedness of spiritual and secular knowledge in Indian traditions, where disciplines like yoga reflect a scientific understanding of human anatomy and mind sciences.
The General Secretary lamented the disruption of India’s scientific heritage over centuries due to invasions and foreign rule, leading to a loss of indigenous knowledge awareness. He praised recent efforts to revive India’s traditional knowledge systems, pointing out that the country’s ancient inquiry was deeply rooted in cosmological exploration.
Hosabale cautioned against the potential widening of societal inequalities with rapid technological advancements if not managed carefully. He urged governments to adopt a balanced approach, considering the impact of innovation on social dynamics. Emphasizing the role of education in preserving scientific temper, he called for integrating traditional knowledge into modern curricula to avoid dismissing past scientific inquiries as mere superstitions.
Proposing a three-part test for technology—economy, equality, and ethics—Hosabale advocated for technologies that promote social balance, respect nature, and uphold ethical standards. The event, organized by the Global Science Innovation Forum, aimed to facilitate discussions on the convergence of science, ethics, and civilisational knowledge systems.
