On the occasion of National Science Day, Indian scientists and academicians express their views regarding ‘scientific temper’, by answering the pertinent question:
“What does scientific temper mean to you?”
“In the first place, scientific temper is not an academic matter, it is in some ways a basic feature of being human. You do not cross the road without looking- because you know what might happen. So the question to ask is not- why we don’t have scientific temper. The question to ask is- why do we abandon scientific temper, in the instances that we do.” – Dr. Satyajit Rath (visiting faculty at IISER, Pune)
“When you start rationalising things and build up your opinion on it in an impartial or unbiased way, and when that opinion gets tested- you build up further on it. For me, that is the development of a scientific temper.” – Dr. Radha Chauhan (Scientist E at NCCS, Pune)
“Scientific temper need not be restricted to a person from science background- it can even be present in someone from arts, commerce or economics background. If they are observant enough, they are all doing science. Only when we observe, the curiosity can be generated and if it is not generated then the scientific temper is lost. So according to me anybody who is observant has a great scientific temper.” – Dr. Sunil Saroj (Faculty member at Symbiosis international deemed university, Pune)
“People think that only some people are cut out to be scientists, that is not true. I think everybody can, it’s just that they need the support and encouragement from people around them to keep asking questions, and grow as a scientist. So, the main thing is- don’t stop questioning, be curious, don’t be afraid to ask and don’t be afraid to be wrong.” – Dr. Deepa Subramanyam (Scientist E at NCCS, Pune)
“I think scientific temper is being open to new discoveries, new findings, new data. Whenever you get new data you should be prepared to accept it in spite of the fact that they don’t agree with your long-held beliefs or your favourite books or any other dictates that you have.” – Dr. Surendra Ghaskadbi (Emeritus scientist at ARI, Pune)
Watch the complete video on the youtube channel- The Curious Biotechnologist.
