Dattatreya Hosabale, General Secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, emphasized the importance of ethics and equality in scientific progress during a recent conference at Stanford University.
STANFORD, CA – On April 17, Dattatreya Hosabale, the General Secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), addressed a gathering in Silicon Valley, highlighting the necessity for scientific advancement to be guided by ethics and equality. He cautioned that unchecked technological growth could exacerbate social inequalities.
Speaking at the Thrive 2026 conference held at Stanford University, Hosabale articulated that India’s civilizational knowledge systems perceive science and spirituality as interconnected domains. He expressed his intention to share insights from his civilization while also learning from global perspectives.
Hosabale characterized Indian traditions as deeply rooted in both empirical inquiry and transcendental understanding. He stated, “The roots have been sensory and super sensory, the culture, perception and reasoning based, but also that we see beyond the limits of human knowledge.” He further emphasized that there is no division between spiritual and secular knowledge within this framework.
He pointed to ancient practices such as yoga as exemplifying a scientific exploration of human anatomy, mental sciences, and the dynamics of action and inaction. “Everything is science” within this context, he asserted.
According to Hosabale, India’s scientific traditions have faced significant disruption over centuries due to invasions and foreign rule, which he claimed led to a loss of awareness regarding indigenous knowledge. He noted that recent policy initiatives are contributing to the revival of these traditional systems, stating, “the Indian knowledge system is being revived.”
However, he warned that rapid technological advancements could lead to increased inequality if not managed with care. “Where technology advances, society tends to become more unequal,” he remarked, linking disparities in access to education with broader gaps in economic growth and quality of life.
Hosabale called for a balanced approach from governments that addresses both innovation and its social implications. He underscored the critical role of education in fostering a scientific temper, cautioning that if traditional knowledge is not properly understood, scientific inquiries could be dismissed as mere superstitions.
He described the challenge of identifying genuine scientific elements within inherited traditions and integrating them into educational curricula. To this end, he proposed a three-part test for technology, focusing on economy, equality, and ethics. Technologies that disrupt social balance, exploit natural resources, or lack ethical foundations should be reevaluated, he advised.
The session, organized by the Global Science Innovation Forum, convened scholars and technologists to explore the intersection of science, ethics, and civilizational knowledge systems. According to IANS, Hosabale’s insights aim to inspire a more equitable approach to technological development.