Source: The post issues with science in India has been created, based on the article “The wrong cooks spoiling the scientific broth” published in “The Hindu” on 14th February 2024.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS paper 3 – Science and technology
News: The article discusses the need for Indian science to focus more on real-life problems and interdisciplinary approaches, involving humanities and social sciences, rather than just traditional scientific methods. It emphasizes collaboration, multidisciplinary thinking, and engagement with broader society to solve complex issues. Problem with science in India
How is science perceived in India?
Science in India is widely regarded as a means to develop intelligence and unbiased citizenship. The prevailing belief is that a science-focused education fosters objectivity and scientific thinking in students. However, there is criticism that many Indian scientists lack a fully developed scientific temper, often prioritizing power over genuine knowledge.
What are the issues with science in India?
Partial Scientific Temperament: Scientists in India are often more focused on power than on fully developing their scientific understanding.
Reliance on Western Publications: There’s a strong preference for knowledge from western journals, while local Indian research is undervalued.
Global Appeal Over Local Relevance: Indian research tends to prioritize topics with international interest, like hypothetical global phenomena, rather than local issues such as pollution in Bengaluru’s Bellandur Lake.
Lack of Holistic Approaches: The article notes a deficiency in interdisciplinary methods, with a need for integrating sciences with humanities and social sciences to tackle complex societal problems.
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What should be done?
Redeploy Scientific Efforts: Redirect a significant portion of scientific resources to the science-society interface to solve real-life problems, rather than solely pursuing academically driven or globally appealing research.
Integrate Humanities and Social Sciences: Encourage the integration of natural sciences with human sciences, such as psychology, sociology, and philosophy, to better understand and address the societal impact of scientific work.
Foster Multidirectional Knowledge Flow: Create institutional linkages that encourage knowledge exchange between scientists and external communities, breaking down barriers between different disciplines and the public.
Question for practice:
Discuss the challenges faced by Indian scientific research in prioritizing power over genuine knowledge and the implications of this phenomenon on interdisciplinary collaboration and societal relevance.
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