Title: Science, spirituality and holism within higher education

Authors: Brian C. Goodwin

Addresses: Schumacher College, The Old Postern, Dartington, Totnes, Devon TQ9 6EA, UK

Abstract: This paper challenges the notion that science is the study of quantities and not qualities, thereby allowing the study of qualities – which is normally restricted to spirituality and the arts – to infuse scientific practice. Therefore more emphasis can be placed on direct experience and how we gain reliable knowledge from it. This covers the area of conventional science but extends much further, requiring the cultivation of ways of knowing that are usually described in terms of intuition and feeling. Although these have always been recognised as aspects of scientific insight and creativity, they are not deliberately cultivated in our educational process. I suggest that this is the core of spiritual learning, so that by including it within a holistic educational process we are putting science and spirituality together in the learning process.

Keywords: holistic science; holistic education; higher education; holism; science of qualities; spirituality; community; sustainable development; sustainability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISD.2007.017943

International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, 2007 Vol.2 No.3/4, pp.332 - 339

Published online: 24 Apr 2008 *

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