Scientific temper refers to a scientific attitude of questioning received wisdom, using evidence-based reasoning and material explanations for natural and social phenomena. It involves critical thinking and recognizing that scientific theories are continually improved as new evidence emerges, with no ultimate truth. Scientific temper is more than just the scientific method - it involves complex conceptual models, observations using sophisticated instruments, and theory development through leaps of imagination confirmed by later evidence. Scientific and technological developments also impact society, requiring evaluation of social costs and benefits, ethics, and public participation in decision making. While personal beliefs are acceptable, scientific temper questions beliefs that directly contradict scientific evidence or affect others.

1. What is Scientific Temper?
 “scientific temper,” a term coined by Nehru (Discovery
of India) means:
 scientific attitude of questioning and being open to question
 evidence-based reasoning
 not accepting received wisdom w/o justification
 all natural and social phenomena must have material (not
super-natural) explanation
 science (natural and social) is the hitherto best
understanding of reality, with many aspects yet unknown,
and better understanding is possible and should be pursued
 every theory/answer raises fresh questions for inquiry: in
science there’s no ‘ultimate truth’ where inquiry stops
 critical thinking best describes ST

2. Scientific Method
 ST is often equated with ‘method of science,’ usually
observation-experiment-theory or explanation
 this describes process of theory validation (or
rejection) in science, not necessarily how science is
done or how scientific theories are arrived at
 …especially since the 20th Century
 often through leap of the imagination (inspired or
later confirmed by observations), smashing old
beliefs
 but always based on existing knowledge/evidence
(modified/improved/rejected and corrected/new)
 science, and a Scientific Temper, is more…

3. Observation
 in past century or more, science
moved beyond sense-observation
using simple instruments, with
complex conceptual models
 subjects of inquiry were too
large/ vast (Big Bang origin of
universe) or too small (sub-
atomic particles)
 Sophisticated, costly instruments
became essential for diff. kinds of
observations (incl. X-ray, radio
waves, infrared signatures etc),
and hence for theory building too

4. Theory confirmation through Observation
 Einstein said about proof of light
bending due to gravity (as per
relativity theory) : “there is no hope
of observing this phenomenon
directly” (Science, 1936)
 …based on instruments of his time
 after almost 100 years, Hubble
Space Telescope data (2013-15)
proved deflection of light from
distant star by a nearer white dwarf
and enabled calculation of mass of
the latter (Kailash Sahu & others,
Science, 2016)
‘Einstein’s Cross’: 4 images
of the same quasar due to
bending of light. What you
see may not be reality!

5. Social impact of S&T:
another arena for Scientific Temper
 before & during World War II, govt’s
turned to S&T to solve problems, and
these solutions (radar, sonar, jets,
computers) were seen as always good
and beneficial for society
 later developments made the public
view S&T with conflicting feelings:
 atom bomb
 harmful effects of pesticides
 Minamata mercury poisoning
 nuclear disasters (3-mile island,
Chernobyl)

6. S&T Policy and Choices
 undesirable/unknown social impacts mean scientists
(and society) must make choices about/between
tech’s
 informed public participation in such choices and in
S&T policy-making is now widely accepted
 PSM is important player in both the above areas
 many factors must be considered:
 social costs and benefits
 equity and social justice
 environmental impact and sustainability
 risks
 ethics
 precautionary principle (proceed or not? eg. human

7. Superstitions and Unscientific Beliefs
 campaigns against superstitions and unscientific
beliefs have been a major part of Scientific Temper
activities
 needs clarification due to various mis-understandings
 ‘Beliefs’ by definition (in dictionary and in Sociology)
are opinions/ideas needing no evidence or proof
 everyone is free to hold beliefs personally, like
religious beliefs, which may be beyond proof and
which are a Constitutional right;
 but if such beliefs affect other persons, or society at
large, or directly contradict scientific
evidence/knowledge, then they must be contested
(eg. ‘intelligent design’ or ‘god-made living beings’ vs

8. To Conclude
 Scientific Temper is, above all, evidence-based
reasoning, critical thinking, and openness to differences
 knowledge of science does not ensure Scientific
Temper!
 understanding society is as important as knowing
science because society influences science and
technology, as much as they have impact on society
 the public should understand S&T and social issues,
and be involved in shaping S&T policies