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Part - II

Scientific attitude rests mainly on three things: -

1. Belief must base upon direct observations, but not on others' opinions or quotations from sacred texts and holy persons.

2. Belief should be guided by minute study of the laws which dictate the working of nature.

3. One should discard the notions that the earth is the all important body or the centre, about which all bodies of the universe rotate and that man is all the important creature for which this universe has been created.

These views may seem very trivial and unimportant, but in fact they form the crux of a scientific temperament. While religion wanted to cling to old beliefs, science broke away from them to come under the open sky for fresh air and light.

Science helps us in two ways. Firstly, it helps in knowing objects or events in their true shape and perspective. Secondly, it brings material progress and happiness to the mankind. In ancient times, the Greeks attached more importance to the first aspect, but the Arabs to the second. The Greeks were more prosperous and had enough servants to do service for their physical comfort. However, the Arabs were needy people and wanted science should come to their help. They gave much time for invention of a magic stone, which could turn everything it touched, to gold. They also tried to find out elixir, a drink, which would keep them in eternal youth. For the Greeks, knowledge was a passion, but for the Arabs, the benefits flowing out of knowledge were the main concern.

Out of the mad quest for living a happier and comfortable life, man began to extract as much as he can out of science using all the skills at is command. Any thing, event, idea or outlook, which we call modern, cannot be really so unless it has a touch of science. Thus, began the march of science from 17th century onwards. With the industrial revolution originating in Europe and spreading to other parts of the world in slower or quicker pace, science has now come to stay holding the key to power and civilization that we call modern.

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* Contributed by: -
Dr. Ram Shankar Rath,
PhD, Professor of Mathematics (Retired),
Ex-Director, Department of Correspondence Courses,
Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Orissa.