Research Papers/Articles - Institute of Management Studies Dehradun

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Scientific Temper, Science Communication and Development Moreover, science has failed to address itself to those intuitive questions which have been troubling human mind for quite some time. As Appleyard has put it: “Science is effective, but what does it tell us about ourselves and how we must live? The brief answer to this is nothing.” Science’s inability to satisfy the inner self of the human beings often makes them more insular and takes them away from the alien world of science. Absence of any corresponding mechanism between scientists and the general public has increased the already existing distance between the two. Undoubtedly, there is a deep seated fear and hostility towards science. Such events as Chernobyl, Bhopal gas tragedy, Fukushima disaster and loss of life due to mishaps in mines, factories and transport systems have further accelerated public’s disenchantment with science and technology. On the other hand researches in science and technology are being driven by the commercial interests and priorities are determined exclusively by scientists and scientific bureaucrats. Therefore, a general awareness of science and technology has to be universally achieved to give the right direction to researches conducted in this field. In a developing country like India where over 80% of scientific research is funded from public sources, it is particularly disturbing to see science being driven by commercial interests and the logic of knowledge as private property. It is imperative therefore that science is sustained as a public good until the developing societies are able to absorb the shocks generated by the market forces. A system which allows only a few to prosper can hardly be called an ideal arrangement. In agriculture, chemical pesticides and herbicides bearing long term risks to human beings are used on a mass scale. Violent experiments are conducted on animals to test safety devices and chemical hazards. Moreover, uses of warfare technologies are leading to chaos and violence and loss of such values as compassion and spirituality. Science also continues to pose a string of questions with regard to the ethics of use of foetal eggs for fertilization, cloning, embryonic stem cells, genetically modified organisms and similar other less exalted examples of genetic engineering. Lack of Scientific Temper In spite of being a constitutional obligation, the Indian society unfortunately seems to be little concerned with the development of scientific temper and spirit of inquiry as even after 65 years of independence the masses are 48 entrenched in superstitions and retrogressive customs as fortune tellers and tarot card readers thrive on their ignorance. It can therefore be said, without much doubt, that science has not yet become part of Indian culture as it has not been able to find its way into the hearts and minds of Indians at large. Despite rapid development of science and technology, blind following of retrogressive rituals and ceremonials have more or less remained unchanged. The questioning attitude, absence of superstitions and disregard for traditional form and ceremonials of worship are yet to be found on a larger scale in India. Modern development which is characterised by scientific thinking and attitude as witnessed in later part of 19th century in England and rest of the Western world has yet to find its place in the Indian society. Moreover, today one third of the Indian population is living below the poverty line untouched by the wonders of science. This speaks volumes about the failure of modern science and technology, as practiced in India, as basic problems of hunger and poverty of the masses remain more or less unchanged. The onus largely falls on the policy makers as scientific endeavours and technological goals are still poorly related to the achievement of total enrichment of the quality of life of the Indian masses. There are pockets of prosperity in the cities and big towns of India but the rest of India, which accounts for about 80% of our population and lives on agriculture, traditional industries and service occupations, has had little impact of science and technology. All these issues compel us to contemplate over a single important question. Is there anything that can be done to ensure that science and technology cater to the basic needs of the society, particularly to the needs of the developing societies like India? Role of Science Communication It is here that the role of science communication assumes greater significance. The importance of science communication through various media in making science popular and enhancing public understanding of science can not be ruled out, as only an enlightened and aware public can effectively participate in decisions on scientific matters having societal impact. The prevalent notion that science and technology are specialized areas of study meant only for a gifted few inevitably leads to public ignorance of scientific development and even indifference to its implications. A general awareness of science and technology has to be universally achieved to give a direction to researches "Pragyaan: Journal of Mass Communication" Volume 10, Issue 1, June 2012
conducted in this field. The public understanding of science can thus create a climate for a change of priorities determined exclusively by scientists and technocrats. It can make the India’s developmental efforts more inclusive and realistic than is the case today. Where science is socially sensitive, public interests and concerns should be identified and incorporated into the processes of science policy making. In order to do so, some European nations have started organizing “Consensus Conferences”. A consensus conference is a forum in which lay people develop and put forward their views on socially sensitive scientific questions through dialogue with experts. In India, Mr Jairam Ramesh, ex Minister of State for Environment and Forests announced a moratorium on the introduction of Bt Brinjal after a series of countrywide consultations with stakeholders from the general public. Science communication can play a very crucial role in educating people about the impact of science and technology on their lives in order to control the advancing forces of technological determinism. Mass media can be used to warn people of the dangers inherent in matters relating to science and technology as well as of activities detrimental to the interest of the general public. Although different means of communication could be used to enhance public understanding of science, a direct face-toface dialogic model with immediate feedback possibility should be preferred. The scientists, science writers, teachers and social workers can play an active role in such activities as the publication of popular science books, magazines, health care material and commencement of adult science literacy programmes. Science museums, science fairs and exhibitions could also be used. In a country with a low literacy rate like India, traditional media consisting of folk theatre, folk songs, dance and cultural performances could also be harnessed to promote scientific temper. Above all, if socities are to benefit from the democratic system of governance, its members must develop the “scientific temper,” i.e. qualities such as skepticism and doubt, respect for facts and data and the questioning of assumptions in their approach to public issues, as there is a close link between the values of science and democracy. Scientific Temper, Science Communication and Development References/Bibliography "Pragyaan: Journal of Mass Communication" Volume 10, Issue 1, June 2012 49
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Research Papers/Articles - Institute of Management Studies Dehradun

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