Transformation and fulfillment in Sri Aurobino an Teilhard de Chardin
Abstract
The work is a comparison of the evolutionary theories
of Sri Aurobindo and Teilhard de Chardin, particularly in
relation to the transformation of'Matter and the fulfillment
of human life. The main text falls naturally into three
sections, but these are sub-divided into more precise parts.
The first section examines the background to Aurobindo's
life and work, the early influential conditions in India,
political involvement in Bengal, and events which may have
shaped his philosophy. There follows a short introduction
to Aurobindo's evolutionary thought; a discussion on the
place of Aurobindo within the Hindu tradition, the Tantra,
the major schools of the Vedanta, Non-dualism - Sankara,
pluralism - Madhva, Qualified Non-dualism - the Visistadvaita
of Ramanuja.
The second section discusses the main elements in the
evolutionary thought of Teilhard de Chardin, and the meaning
of certain terms peculiar to his work, the concept of Matter,
Reflection, Complexity Consciousness, Omega, Creative Union,
Centration.
The third section compares the two philosophies
beginning with the fundamental premise of the relationship
of Matter and Spirit in each system; the transformation of
Matter and a possible influence of Sankhya philosophy in
relation to this. Consideration is given to the conflicting
views of scholars with regard to Aurobindo and Advaita
Vedanta; the Higher and Lower-Maya in Aurobindo compared
to the Higher and Lower Knowledge in Sankara, and this
also relates to the difference in the movement of evolution
in Aurobindo and Teilhard. This is followed by discussion
on the evolution of Consciousness in both, a comparison of
the final stages of evolution and the ultimate point of
human fulfilment. Throughout the work, the differences
between Aurobindo and Teilhard are noted where possible.
The conclusion gives a brief impression of Aurobindo
and Teilhard as may be discovered from a point of view
retrospective to a careful study of their philosophies.
