Rebirth - Note 3

The Problem of Rebirth - Rebirth – Note 3 – Pg 5 … continued from Note 2

We are not able to assert against the sceptic any such dominant probability or any such certitude on behalf of the theory of rebirth. We do not possess much of a so called ‘scientific’ evidence of rebirth.

In the absence of sufficient ‘scientific’ evidence of rebirth, we are limited in our assertion of the theory of rebirth against the barrage of questions from the skeptic. Even the assertion of Pythagoras, who is one of the greatest of the sages, that he fought at Troy under the name of the Antenorid and was slain by the younger son of Atreus doesn’t hold any ground. His identification of the Trojan shield is also not convincing. We need a CONVINCING PROOF. This is the demand of our intellect which is under the influence of our crude sensations. In the face of such limitations, the proponents of reincarnation come up with an intellectual proposition. Their theoretical argument is that the theory of reincarnation accounts for all the phenomenon we observe in the external world. Therefore it must be true. This is only a deduction and not a proof. Granted that this a plausible theory. But still it falls of giving any conclusive evidence. Granted that the theory of rebirth coupled with that of Karma gives us a simple, symmetrical and beautiful explanation of things. But then let us not forget that once upon a time even the theory of Spheres - which has since been discarded - also gave us a simple, symmetrical and beautiful explanation of the heavenly bodies. This theory has now been rebuffed with yet another theory which is much more complex, Gothic and shaky in its symmetry. As per this new theory we accept as truth of the matter that an inexplicable order evolved out of chaotic infinities. If we are relentlessly frank and honest in our pursuit of truth, then very soon we will realize that even this not the whole truth. There is more to it. There is much that is yet to be discovered. For this reason we can not accept the reincarnation theory as final proof only because of its  ‘Simplicity, Symmetry and Beauty’. 
..... to continue

...... inspired by Sri Aurobindo