Why does our society lack scientific temper and what can scientists do about it?*

Abstract

I am delighted to have the opportunity to participate in this panel discussion. Honourable Vice-President Shri Mohammad Hamid Ansari has very eloquently defined scientific temper and equally eloquently lamented the lack of scientific temper in the country. Thus he has made our job easy; the panel can straightaway begin its business of asking why scientific temper is lacking in our society, why are blind faith and superstition so prevalent, and what can we do about it.