speech on science and superstition
Answers
Answer:
When we talk of Science and Superstition together it appears
as though we are trying to put two opposites together, and, in
doing so putting forth an obviously awkward act. In order to
see whether the twosome sounds awkward together and if so
how awkward we have to analyze the basic content of both
Science and Superstition.
On the one hand when Science appeals to reason, logic and
can be explained, Superstition relates to none of these three
qualities. The latter in essence is basically a show of the fear
of God or the supernatural.
It appears very illogical to believe in any superstition because
it cannot be explained to any reasoning. Thus both Science
and Superstition are obviously two opposites. However, the
irony of facts is that, even today when Science is taking such
giant leaps ahead, Superstition has also not got lost in the
maze of technical and scientific advancement.
No matter how modern and scientifically bent we may be,
even today, there are a few examples of superstition which
still persist the Indian psyche. For an obvious example it is still
considered auspicious to take a dip in the Ganges.
Even the most advanced modern educated Indians still seem
to believe that we can get rid of the effect of our sins by taking
a dip in the Ganges. True, many people do believe it but, does
it stand to any reason, can it be explained by any logic, NO. It
is just a matter of faith and just does not stand to any
reasoning at all.
When our children go for an examination we serve them with
sweet curd. Though we all know that children will steer clear
in their exams only by the dint of their hard work and not by
consuming sweet curd we still serve them curd and observe
the superstition.
Let us ask ourselves as to how many of us are willing to give
up this apparently foolish superstition an obviously
meaningless belief. A black cat cutting across our way when
we are going for some important work sets us to believe that
the work will not be done. Now, is there any logic in believing
in these women. We also often see a black thread tied round
a neck with a talisman hanging on the chest. Now, what is
this, a pure belief?
Do any of these examples of superstitions very commonly
believed even now; stand to any reason of scientific
explanation? On the one hand while there is a phenomenal
growth in the technical and scientific areas, these
superstitions keep haunting us all the while. The most
outstanding example of belief in superstition is to be seen in
the planning of the most modern town of Chandigarh. This
town is without a doubt the most modern town planned in this
age of India’s scientific growth.
This town has forty seven Sectors and, in these forty seven
Sectors, the so called unlucky thirteen number Sector is
missing. This goes to prove that even the most modern
planners architects and technicians do believe that number
thirteen is an unlucky number. Thus, believe it or not, we, still,
in the subconscious mind at least, give plenty of weight age to
superstitions.
With all these commonly prevalent superstitions we can
conclude that even though we are on the path of
modernization, superstitions have still a hold on our mental
attitudes and our thinking processes. This leads us to believe
that these superstitions must be having some bearing on our
work, our thinking and spirit. Though we do not understand
their basis, we still continue to follow them and believe in
them blindly. We are being continuously held hostage to these
superstitions, may be much against our leanings.
In this age of science and technology we should not believe in
any of this but, how do we leave it? This is a proof of there
being some reason for their existence, some reason that
defies any explanation, some reason which Science cannot
defy nor disprove.
Answer:
In this scientific era of many discoveries and inventions, science making the impossible possible with the blink of an eye, there’s no place for superstition. Science and superstitions are poles apart. Yet they are the two sides of the same coin unknown of their interdependence.
Superstitions are self-imposed selfish beliefs, something imaginary yet unimaginable disbelief, or mere beliefs. But science – the most well-known and popular word of this era. Science as is believed to be something realistic which even makes the unreal real; the unachievable achievable.
Science in itself is a sweet beginning and sometimes a bitter ending whereas superstitions have neither beginning nor end; it is complete in itself.
But still, these two unrealistic and realistic, unimaginable and imaginable, never-ending and ever ending concepts are interconnected somewhere beyond the universe by some unpredictable threads of God. Science completes superstitions in the same way as reasons complete assumptions. Reasons sometimes fail to explain rendering the assumptions to be almost dark and blank. And sometimes baseless reasons succeed in explaining a taboo.
Let’s have a quick look at the following examples:-
1. Eat curd and sugar before heading out Eating curd and sugar before stepping out for something new and important is considered to be good luck as the consumption of curd has a cooling effect on the stomach and sugar which is added provides instant glucose which makes your work easier and successful. This combination is indispensable for Indians and its consumption was slowly linked to good luck.
2. Don’t wash or cut hairs on certain days Washing or cutting hairs on certain days like on Tuesdays or Thursdays are considered to be bad luck but there’s no truth in this as it was one of the water management practices. And moreover, during those days, barbers got a holiday on those days. So, just to give them a holiday people don’t cut hairs on those days.
3. Swallow tulsi leaves never chew
Tulsi leaves shouldn’t be chewed, it needs to be swallowed. The science behind his is that the tulsi leaves contain a little amount of arsenic. Thus, chewing it directly could result in degradation of enamel.
4. Bathe after attending a funeral ceremony Earlier bathing was necessary after attending a funeral ceremony but today it’s not like earlier as our ancestors didn’t have vaccinations against smallpox, hepatitis and other deadly diseases. So they came up with this ritual of bathing so as to prevent themselves from infection from the dead body.
5. Menstruating women are considered impure and unclean: In a country like India, it is very prevalent and this gave rise to many other superstitious beliefs. At that time women were not allowed inside the kitchen, temples, mosques, and other religious spots. They are not allowed to perform any household duties. The reason is that at that point of time women are comparatively weak because of a lot of blood loss. So, they are given complete rest. Moreover, ancient stone statues of God maintain a certain equilibrium with the atmosphere and may collapse if any disturbance occurs. As women release a lot of heat during this period, they are not allowed inside the temple since this may cause a disturbance in the natural equilibrium and may result in cracks in the idols.
6. Lizard falling on human is bad luck
It is said to be bad luck but the scientific reasons behind this is that the lizard releases poisonous chemicals from its body in order to protect themselves from enemies and if it falls on human body or food, it is bound to contaminate it. So, bathe is taken after it falls on someone.
7. Using lemons and green chillies to avoid buri nazar The nimbhu mirchi tadka is one of the commonly visible superstitions among the society whose use is often encouraged due to the qualities of lemon and chillies as they both are rich in different vitamins Ad create certain acidic odour which helps keep away insects. Thus, our ancestors used this as a symbol during ceremonies which now turned into a tadka.
8. Bats entering the house means death It is considered to be a bad omen. The real reason behind this superstition is that the bats bring a lot of deadly diseases along with them and when there was no medical facility available during those days, people would die due to rabies, Ebola, Nipah and other illness brought in by the illness.
9. Ghosts residing in peepal trees
This myth continues to prevail even today. But the scientific reason behind this is that the trees use carbon dioxide during the day and releases oxygen but at night, it is the other way round. So, when you sleep under the tree, the excess carbon dioxide level can make you feel heavy in the fist and suffocated which is associated with the feeling of being possessed by some spirits.