Mike Robinson: Yes, I can see the point you're trying to make about similarity, but what I'm asking is, what proof do you have that a human being has a soul?
Prabhupāda: That is, I have already begun. As soon as the soul is gone, what is the value of your this beautiful body? Who cares for this body? You throw it away, kick it out. And now, if I touch your hair, there will be fight. (laughter) Yes. That is the distinction. The soul is there and soul is not there. As soon as soul is not there, it has no value—useless.
Mike Robinson: I see but, so what part then do . . .
Prabhupāda: Therefore you have to study, that, this . . . at the present moment people are so dull-headed, they are not taking the important point, that this body, one minute ago it was so important, and now it has no value. If you kick on his face, nobody will say. But they have no brain to understand what is that thing missing, that it has become so unimportant that within a minute . . . they have no brain. The so-called scientists, philosophers, all dull-headed. It is very abominable condition of society. There is no man who is real brain.
Mike Robinson: Are you sort of writing off all scientists because they've failed to understand the spiritual dimension in life?
Prabhupāda: Huh? Yes, it is scientific, everything scientific. Science means knowledge, full knowledge.
Mike Robinson: But you were a chemist yourself, were you not, in secular life before you took up the position you have . . .?
Prabhupāda: It doesn't require to become a very big chemist. Any commonsense man can do it. Of course, I was chemist in my previous life.
Mike Robinson: So presumably you think that, that science is also important, even if scientists are being dull-headed.
Prabhupāda: The important so far—not all-important. Not all-important.