Scientific Temper: A Rational Approach to Progress and Values

 

What is Scientific Temper?

The scientific approach and temper are, or should be, a way of life, a process of thinking, a method of acting and associating with life, a process of thinking, a method of acting and associating with our fellowmen.

 – Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India.

Why do you need to have a scientific temper?

Okay.

First, The article 51A (h) of the Constitution of India states that “It shall be the duty of every citizen of India to develop a scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of enquiry and reform”. 

So, it is, if you are an Indian, your Fundamental Duty to be scientifically tempered.

Second, Being scientifically tempered you can accept the world objectively. No one can easily manipulate you towards their own interests.

For instance, you can see both the good and the bad aspects of an object or idea, while other people around you are able to see only one aspect because of their emotional biases.

Third, You will be able to find the root cause of any problem, and give the best possible solution to it.

Assume that you run a company. It was doing well, but for last few months it has been running through losses.

Now using your scientific temper and spirit of enquiry, you find the cause of the loss and thereby you fix it.

Fourth, you can easily spot a fake news and misinformation.

For instance, now-a-days, there are plenty of sources of information, and you can access them in just one click.

Beware!

Not all of them can be trusted. 

Some spread misinformation leading you to buy their products and services.

Some manipulate you vote for their sponsor political party and sometimes spread unrest in the society.

Fifth, since the ancient time, common people, especially the poor, have been exploited by the elite powerful section of the society in the name of religion, caste, race and so on.

For example, poor people, in a difficult phase of life, approach their religious or spiritual Gurus. Many such leaders and Gurus, taking it as an opportunity, extort money from them in the name od God or manipulate them towards certain political ideology.

But they can’t fool people with scientific temper.

Isn’t it cool?

I know it is.

So, how can you develop a scientific temper?

Okay.

Let me tell you.

The key to have a scientific temper is not to blindly believe in anything presented to you.

You know, people often tend to accept certain objects, ideas etc. in the same way as they are presented by their family, relatives or friends.

Let's assume, I had an altercation with my friend John yesterday. After that I started defaming John. I told everybody that John is arrogant, jealous, he is not happy of my success and blah, blah, blah.

Now, some of the listeners (let them collectively call “Group A”) will craft a bad image of John in their mind, only because they blindly believed me.

But other listeners (let them call “Group B”) prefer to think logically. So, they won’t believe in my words instantly. 

They will try to know John’s perspective as well, enquire to find all the facts. Thus they will rich the truth.

Alright.

So, which group do you find yourself in?

In group B, right?

Yes, that is the group of people with scientific temper.

Process to Develop a Scientific Temper:

Okay.

Now the question is how can you develop a scientific temper?

Look, scientific temper consists of logical reasoning, rational or critical thinking. So, to develop this kind of mindset, you need to make some changes in your attitude towards outer observations.

Do not see things with your eyes, see them with your brain.

Do not believe in something only because your father, mother, sister, brother say so.

Do not believe in something only because your friends say so.

Do not believe in something only because your teachers say so.

Do not believe in something only because your favourite actor, your favourite singer or sportspersons or politicians say so.

Leave their perspectives aside. 

Use you own brain. 

Try to find all the facts regarding that topic. 

Know the ultimate truth. 

Then you can come to an objective, impartial conclusion.

Be receptive to new ideas:

Secondly, Be receptive to new ideas backed by evidence. Do not unnecessarily engage in argument or debate. You often start arguing with those who do not share the same views on a topic as yours.

You think that the person sitting on the other side of the table has wrong views, they do not know your point of view. And if you tell them your point of view, they will be convinced and thus you outwit them.

But it doesn’t really happen, Right?

Why?

Actually, the other person on the other side of the table also thinks the same. They also think they can outwit you by their point of view.

And finally it doesn’t come to any conclusion. No one wins the argument. Rather, sometimes it turns to altercation, personal attacks and so on.

So, what should you do instead?

Whenever others express their views or opinions or perspectives on a topic, you listen to them with patience. Don’t eagerly wait for your turn. Know all their points.

Some you may find logical. Add them in your understandings. Thus you can learn new ideas and enrich your knowledge.

So, every time you join an argument, focus more on what new you can learn from it than on what you know already. Right?

Be Sceptic and develop a spirit of enquiry:

Thirdly, be sceptic and develop a spirit of enquiry. Everytime you come across a content on social media, don’t believe it at once. Doubt it. Question it. Fact check it from authentic sources like renowned news paper.

There are a plenty of fact checking websites out there. Follow their posts on this news. There you may find that it is an edited photo or a doctored video created with a view to spreading fake news.

Some political parties often spread fake news to divert people’s attention from relevant issues like education, healthcare and jobs to irrelevant ones like race, religion and hatred so that they can polarize people to gain votes and escape their responsibilities.

Read, read and read

Fourthly, Read books. Reading and only reading can expand your critical thinking. Read Literature, read Science, read Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology, History, Geography, Anthropology, Politics, Economy, current events, so that you can maximize your objective knowledge.

Conclusion

Scientific temper encourages logical thinking, fosters innovation, and builds a society grounded in fairness and progress. 

Whether through constitutional mandates or individual practice, promoting scientific temper is crucial for a brighter and more rational future.