At an Indian Television panel discussion on 'The Scientific Temper', (New Delhi, June 2, 1998,-which included, besides myself, a central Minister, a social activist, a professor, an English journalist and a lady educationist), I quoted Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, as having said as early as 1947, that what his country required more than anything else was just that-the scientific temper. I further made the point that we need to know exactly what is meant by this expression. Broadly interpreted, it means having a realistic attitude.In one of his prayers, the Prophet Muhammad is recorded as having asked God to enable him to see things just as they are (Goduma arenal ashyaa' kama heya). This clearly indicates that having the scientific temper, or pursuing a scientific line of thought, is the equivalent of coming to grips with reality.We live in a world, which has an existence of its own, functioning according to its own immutable principles. Scientific thinking is, therefore, extremely important for the successful development of both the individual and the nation. The secret of success is to see the world around us with an open mind and to acquire an understanding of the laws of nature. This approach will produce positive results, enabling one to form correct judgments about things as they actually are. Thus, real achievers are those who, by fostering this bent of mind, are able to confront the truth. [Highlight1] Scientific thinking, largely, is a question of ratiocination based on facts. This applies equally to the world of matter and to human affairs. For instance, if you have to build a bridge over a river, the science of engineering will tell you to build it from iron and not from clay. Similarly, if you want to harvest a particular crop, the science of horticulture will tell you not only that you must sow the seeds of that crop (and not for example plastic pellets!) but also how to irrigate and fertilize them.Similar principles apply in the human world. Good results can be achieved only if full account is taken of all of the relevant facts. Failing this, the desired outcome will remain elusive. If, for example, you want someone to be your supporter, the science of psychology will tell you that you must activate his conscience and appeal to his better feelings. But if, on the contrary, you speak or act in such a way that his ego is hurt, you will turn him into an enemy. If you want to receive something from someone, you shall have to become in his eyes a giver, and not just a beneficiary, for it is a matter of common experience that most people are used to giving only to those from whom they receive. Then, if you aspire to a position of honour, you had best be unassuming in demeanour, because it is the modest man and not the egoist who makes the greatest impression on the better side of human nature. It is the unpretentious individual who is most likely, therefore, to attain to a position of honour and prestige.
Related Articles
Article
Sunday Guardian | September 03, 2023
Reviewing modern, scientific civilization, a commentator has made the very pertinent observation that it is not invested with ideological permanence. This seems quite true when we…
Article
Soulveda | June 10, 2024
Mr. Das was ranked as one of the most senior IAS officers. He had a big house in “Madhuban”, a posh colony in Delhi. But he committed suicide on the August 3, 1985, by putting a noose around…
Article
Sadia Khan | TOI | February 9, 2011Even as children, we dream. We try to realise our dreams all throughout our lives. However, when our dreams remain unfulfilled, we tend to sink into dejection and get disillusioned.Of…
Article
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan | The Sunday Guardian | November 01, 2015Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) is now accepted as an outstanding figure in English literature. Yet, in the early stages of his life, he was in such…
Article
by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan | Speaking Tree, Sunday, Feb 9, 2020Today, the biggest problem for Muslims is not communal riots or the conspiracies of others. Rather, it is their not being able to understand what they…
Article
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan | The Sunday Guardian | September 06, 2015
After a long journey, the express train was approaching its destination. The view from the train indicated that the final station was near. Hundreds of…