The Scientific point of view---J.B.S Haldace
Q.
How is the scientist superior to God according to J.B.S.Haldane?
In the essay ‘The Scientific Point of
View’, J. B. S. Haldane opposes superstition and supports rational
thinking. He says that science affects
us in two ways. We are benefited by its appreciations in one way and it affects
our opinions in the other way. Haldane
says that the scientist is superior to God. The scientist works out the results
of many actions. In the eyes of the bacteriologist, polluting public water
supply is as dangerous as blasting an atom bomb in the public street.
The average man dwells on the emotional
and ethical side of the issue. He ignores the facts which interest the
scientist. Haldane gives two examples, the problem of the American Negro and
the problem of disease. The American Negro is accustomed to the hot climate of
the cotton estates in the southern states. His population increases there. If
he is made to live in luxury, he loses his stamina and even dies. So the
scientist prefers the Negro to live a life of hardship.
Haldane says that the modern medicine
cures many diseases. Diabetes can be controlled by injecting insulin. Typhoid
can be cured by drinking boiled water. But many people are unscientific. Even
cancer can be cured but people do not follow the doctor’s advice. He says that
the world is misruled by ignorance and unscientific thinking.
Best Regards,
Sasi Kumar..
0 comments: