Scientific temper and courage can help us to challenge blind beliefs

an article on this topic

Scientific temper as emphasised by Jawaharlal Nehru, is always required in any advanced period of human development stage. You know that in our own country in the name of modernisation we are westernise our people.

Modernisation means selection of institution, practices, behaviour etc. which fits best in given culture of a society and may bring in best of benefits to all. But, to say good bye to every tradition, social, cultural and economic institution, practice and tradition without judging them on merit (without applying scientific judgement) may turn out disastrous.

To me scientific temper means application of scientific evaluation of something in a given socioeconomic and cultural milieu objectively to accept one thing or reject it. It is, in fact, equivalent in life to critical thinking that does not involve imitation. One thousand person adopting an innovation may be wrong, while one person applying his/her experience and knowledge may be right. And this attitude at individual level, community level, national and international level is always required as it leads to right path. Its value can never be undermine whatever level of scientific development and advancement of a society.

With modern times and innovations, we have been able to debunk old wives tales and myths. The fact is that every tale of courage, starts with a single step .

One can take the story of Copernicus or even Galileo who told the world, that the Earth revolved around the Sun, unlike the earlier belief that the Earth was the centre of the universe or that of Magellan who debunked the belief that the Earth was flat.

Many diseases that were thought to be incurable have been eradicated completely, and it all beganwith someone who believedin science and hadthe courage to challenge, common misconceptions. The progress of mankind, has been, because of the scientific temperament of the human mind. Our constant quest for knowledge and our courage hasmade us reach this age of scientific marvels, and things that were perceived to be impossible earlier have become quite possible now.