Science plays a vital role in our daily lives, even if we don’t always realize it. From the alarm that wakes us up to the phones we scroll through before bed, advancements in science, technology, engineering, and math touch every aspect of our routines. If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer on examples of science in daily life: Science gives us technology like smartphones, WiFi, microwaves, and virtual assistants. It brings us medical treatments, weather forecasts, and green energy solutions. Fields like chemistry, biology, and physics explain the world around us and advancements that enhance how we live. This comprehensive guide provides over 50 examples demonstrating the many amazing ways science impacts our lives. We’ll cover common technologies, healthcare innovations, environmental applications, and insights science provides into the world around us. So for a better mission of life we need to have scientific temper which will unfold many miseries of life.
What is scientific temper?
Scientific temper refers to an attitude of logical, rational and scientific thinking. An individual is considered to have a scientific temper if he employs a scientific method of decision-making in everyday life. This involves repeatedly observing and verifying a fact before forming a hypothesis.
The term 'scientific temper' was coined by India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, in his book 'The Discovery of India'. Nehru believed that scientific temper would play a crucial role in the nation's socio-economic development. The government at that period adopted various measures to inculcate a scientific attitude in a society ridden with superstitions and social evils like female infanticide and sati.
Why is scientific temper important?
With a population of over 1.34 billion of which 41 per cent are below 18 years of age (according to 2001 census data), it is very important that parents and educationists teach children the concept of decision-making based on a scientific approach.
Scientific temperament is important for:
- Bringing forth a progressive society that is free of superstitions and irrational practices
- Developing the nation in all spheres (political, economic and social)
- Promoting tolerance among people for differing thoughts and ideas
What is the current scene regarding scientific temper in our country?
It looks very poor. According to Article 51 (A) sub-section-H of the Indian Constitution, every citizen is obligated to develop scientific temper; but this is not put into practice. Not just the general public, even the scientists and the government have ignored this concept.
What do you think can be done to improve scientific temper in our country?
We must make people understand the method that science uses to acquire knowledge. Superstitions and irrational beliefs are widespread in India and can be removed only by creating awareness among children about the lack of logic and reason in such beliefs. The process of creating such awareness should begin at home and continue in school. Unfortunately, this does not happen in India.
As a result, we see many illogical decisions being taken. For instance, in Hyderabad, the Chief Minister wanted to move to a new secretariat for reasons pertaining to Vaastu and numerology. I think it is a tremendous waste of public money! So, as I said, we need to fight these superstitions and irrational beliefs at all levels.
How can we try to inculcate scientific beliefs, logical thinking and rationality in children?
Right from the very beginning they should be educated to avoid superstitions and irrational beliefs. They should be taught to analyze and deal with superstition on a scientific basis.
In my family, my parents were not superstitious; therefore, none of us siblings are superstitious. Teaching scientific methods of thinking doesn't take much time and should be a part of the school curriculum.
Do you think a future generation of higher rational thought and scientific temper is possible? How do we achieve that?
In some ways, it is happening. There are organisations like the Karnataka Rajya Vijnana Parishat and the Jana Vignana Vedika in Andhra Pradesh which have hundreds of thousands of members spreading scientific temper. There are organisations all over the country like the Paschim Banga Vigyan Mancha and Marathi Vidnyan Parishad which are doing very well. They are making every effort to spread scientific temper. Being connected with all these organisations, I can say with confidence that they are doing very good work.
What are the challenges that these organisations face?
People question them. They have to give convincing answers that are reasonable and logical. For example, people argue about the importance of Vaastu which figures in the ancient Indian texts. But the fact remains that what is written in books is not always the truth. So, these organisations spread awareness about the fact that though concepts like Vaastu are followed around the world, there is no proof of how these concepts make people happy.
Has the government been supportive of science education and research over the years?
All governments, irrespective of the ruling party, have supported science education in some way or the other. The present government has shown support in areas like space research and biotechnology.
What reforms would you recommend in the field of science education in India?
As I said, children must be taught the 'method of science' which hasn't happened though it has been debated about for the last 20 years.
Also, we need to change our school system and have a common system of education like in the USA. Education in all developed countries is funded by the government with minimal privatisation. In India, there are many schools that are purely commercial in nature. That's the problem. Education, in our country, is, unfortunately, an item to be sold. It is not so elsewhere.
(The views expressed are personal)
