Teaching Science Badly – and Well

Re: # 17 zeemax, you are talking about ``useful`` subjects and not ``real`` subjects.

The learned profesor is talking about ``real`` subjects.

Respected Pervez Saheb,
Aadab,

I have read many of your articles on science and found all of them very inspiring. They appear to deal with science but in reality teach sociology, politics, economics, business and other aspects of progress as well. I appreciate your ability to keep desperation away and write with patience and cool-headed manoeuvring through the dark cob-web of false notions and confusing interpretations that abound in the Pakistani society. Many times I extract humor out of it when you happen to approach science vis-a-vis religion. Sometimes I wonder if it is good that most Pakistanis don`t read your articles or they could find out many subtle blasphemies in it. I consider you one of the best sons of Pakistan and even if Pakistanis don`t learn from your teachings indeed Indian Muslims can learn much.
May I draw your attention to following sentences taken from your current article which the fundamentalists from Pakistan can never come to terms. They can easily give Fatwa: If you believe in Science you don`t believe in Quran.

``....a high premium is put upon skepticism and there is a deep distaste for dogmatism.``
``Science refuses to offer an opinion on things that are unobservable, or whose existence is impossible to verify even in principle. What you cannot see may still actually be there, but science is going to be mum about it. It’s as simple as that.``
Also, allow me to say that keeping mum on anything wrong can not serve the purpose.

Samar

Re: # 17

Natural sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) are the foundation on which the whole structure of what is loosely called ``science and technology`` rests. More specifically, good quality engineering research is impossible without a basic understanding of the physics involved. Pakistan may be churning out thousands of engineers, but their contribution to the advancement of engineering is negligible because of the reasons mentioned by Professor Hoodbhoy.

There is a difference between a good technician and a good engineer. And that is knowledge of physics.

Dr. Hoodbhoy thinks science begins and ends with just `physics` i.e. his own discipline ... and he builds his entire thesis on that erroneous premise saying ``A normal, intelligent and curious child – particularly if he or she is Pakistani – must think science to be the most wretched of subjects at school.

Though the author may not realize it, medical studies is science too. So is pharmacology, so is electrical / mechanical / civil engineering, and so is computers. Does any Pakistani student think of these as wretched subjects? The universities churn out tens of thousands of these each year with many achieving excellence in these fields domestically and abroad.

It is true though that physics / chemistry etc are less popular, but it is only because vocational opportunities in these are severely limited. The emphasis from high-school onwards is on vocational disciplines which can get a job, and not on satisfying curiosities as a hobby. If jobs were available for these disciplines, there would be many students opting for these ...

There is no religious bar on acquiring scientific knowledge, and the professor is completely unaware of that. However, he is right about a few and far-between silly pronouncements on TV etc but those are just opinions amongst all other kinds of silly opinions, to many of which the author may himself subscribe. His concern is highly exaggerated.

Professor Hoodbhoy does not understand Pakistan very well, and it is clear in each one of his articles.

``Only political science is worth good and interesting. Science makes you start thinking logically then you become unbeliever and then ask too many questions. ``

Madani Saheb, Kuch bhi ulta seedha aapke dimag mein jo aata hai keh dete hain aap.

#12 what a master piece!! great job ahmedmadani.:-)

Dr. Hoodbhoy -

[But there is another excellent reason to study science. Far from being a cold and soulless collection of facts, it is delicately beautiful with principles that are amazingly simple and precise. Yet, they are also incredibly powerful and universal. Exactly the same laws explain why stars shine, the blue of the sky, the beating of the human heart, and the flight of birds. Science grips the imagination and fascinates endlessly. It has certainly engaged me for most of my life and I, like most scientists, will never tire of it. ]

Beautifully expressed!

[Teachers must also be able to explain coherently what caused the overturn of accepted scientific beliefs, and what to make out of disagreements among scientists. It is extremely important to keep an open mind and challenge when necessary.]

An important point for later review.

``The demons of superstition can only be chased away by those who have learned science the correct way. But for that we may first need a major cultural and attitudinal change that permits real science to be taught in our schools. ``

Excellent suggestion an analyses.

Science is about ``uncertainity``. It is contrary to the absoluteness of theological certainity of mullahs and their followers.
Science is about making Conjectures and Refutations of these through empirical observations.
Science is base upon materialism. It does not conjecture entities that work on ``will`` or some ``spiritual powers`` that are amenable to human prayers.
Science and Mullahism cannot co-exist. That is why mullahs hate science. They would love to burn the laboratories that promote thinking about entities that do not exist in their books or follow their orders.
Turn around Pakistan into a secular state if you want science to flourish..........

I think thoughts by professor are right mostly some are not right.
Generally too much education is problem. More you study more one becomes foolish. Most of times science is not required and too much thinking can lead to problems. Now in all sciences Mathematics is worst science as it is difficult. And its really troubles ``KHopadi`` and its has no use. Now days people learning too much is problem. First they teach wronngly too much science then they feel they are entitled to good job and good salary. Now if they learn too much science and what is use to anybody. Its just ego trip and spoils you. I met a learned PhD maths person he looked normal but he felt too proud and said he needs to be given good job etc, talent etc or will go to foreign etc. Now if you go to purchase some thing in market one needs to know addition and subtraction. The answer is same even if one is educated. Too much literature science also not good. Only political science is worth good and interesting. Science makes you start thinking logically then you become unbeliever and then ask too many questions. I think nothing wrong now, things are going fine. No need to change if things are ok. Good afternoon everybody

Dr.Hoodboy is just confused.........the man doesn`t know what he is talking about.............

Dr.Hoodboy`s scope of mind is very myopic with limited field. Science makes us broadminded with open arms for all without subtracting other dogmas..................

And what is science? Science is NOT just sitting in a laboratory to perform some experiments like we used to perform when we were doing our O`levels and A`levels in chemistry, Physics and biochmistry...........or maths.........science is everything including our dogmas.................

`The scientific mindset starts developing naturally when students encounter questions that engage their mind rather than memory.
Question is not allowed, this is very unfortunate but it`s harsh reality.
Teachers even in professional colleges have no guts to say, `ok I shall explain it to-morrow`
if you write something out of syllabus , it may be right and related to the subject ,marking will be low .
student are asked to produce what is written in the book .How can brain expand and learn new things !

And Shah2

I believe morality, sociology , anthropology, even literature and religions are scientific in their real sense...............God knows what Dr.Hoodboy was thinking when he wrote this senseless article.

Dr.Hoodboy in this article reflecting nothing, but, his own state of CONFUSION and confused mind set.........................with no logic at all.

Shah2 #7

I totally disagree with Dr.Hoodboy..........He makes NO sense at all. Very disappointed.

I have observed millions of practicing scientists like [medical doctors, engineers, mechanics, physics, chemists, biologists, botanists etc, etc, etc..........in Pakistan and also in USA graduated from highly prestigious institutions including world renounced ones and internationally recognized ones STRICTLY practicing their dogmas(their religions) , keeping a perfect balance between their professional lives and their religious lives............usually they incorporate them together beautifully without rejecting their dogmas.................rather they seem more solid and strict about their religious dogmas..............they do not consider religious dogmas as foolish set of ideas to which people are adhered for irrational or emotional reasons.

Science and religious dogmas rather walk hand in hand towards the betterment of humanity. Both preach to end human miseries for making a useful community and helping humans to solve their problems in this life world wise.

Dogmas and science both give people hope and belief with rationality in their own perspectives. One can`t REJECT or SUBJUGATE other @ the expense of it`s own stupidity or idiocy. We as humans truly believe that religious dogmas serve as a glue to bind social communities together. Science serves the same purpose to bring humans together @ the same platform for their well being................they have had been working together.............with the rationale of tolerance........there is a famous saying,`` Tolerance of intolerance brings intolerance. Intolerance of intolerance brings tolerance.``

Majority of multicultural dogmas are not per se irrational, they are based exclusively upon our rational needs.

Reason and freedom cannot solely based on science only , yes we do need religious dogmas for the implementation of our cultural values , of course for the betterment of our communities.

#5 Zeena
i do not know your brother at all and you are his sister but does not he has rights to do whatever with his education..
who is hooodhboy to judge what is good or what is bad...
Science and religion is comlimentary and should be supplemental and not ANTAGONISTIC...
Communism is against religion ,does the author suggest comunism to be more scientific?
Science is limited and its not a substitute for religion similarly any body like communists can think religion as opium of mankind.but would rather be a religous scientist than drab sterile abject concrete thinking scientist...

Science does not teach love morality sociology anthropology history lierature poetry mysticism philosophy comfort in higher being ....Science in its place only seems appropriatetoo much emphasis and hpe from itis exaggerated..hyped and has turned mankind more destructive the hiroshima and star wars missiles are prove of it....

Teaching in the subcontinent is oriented towards biased versions of history, language and religion.

The phobia towards teaching science is amply evident, and deplorable. This must be corrected.

#4 sorry for typo

{{{Yes, I admit , to learn science is a good tool for human progress prospectively...}}