Abhijit Naskar's Blog - Posts Tagged "pursuit-of-truth"
Mission of The Scientist
What is the purpose of a scientist? It is the search for truth of course. But is it all that a scientist is supposed to work for! The question that I shall be addressing in this article is what is the purpose of a humanist scientist? Now, here you may wonder, what the heck is a humanist scientist? Aren’t all scientists humanists?
A person can be a humanist in his or her personal life, but in professional life the sole identity of a scientist is a scientist. Now in this case, there is a small proportion of scientists, whom I call “humanist scientists”. The goal of a scientist is to dedicate himself or herself to the search of the raw, unfiltered, pure truth. Here comes the twist. The purpose of a humanist scientist is to discover the purest form of truth possible, and then apply it to the human society in a way that brings most positive outcome in the path of global progress.
For example, the idea of God which has been imposed on us by our society, has nothing to do with the reality. God is not an Supernatural Entity watching over earth and its inhabitants. God is exclusively a part of human consciousness. Without the humans there is no God. Without us, there is no God, that any living creature should be concerned of. However, I never attempt to take away people’s God from them, because that God is associated with a lot of human sentiments in the human psyche that act as fuel in daily survival. If you try to take away some hungry man’s stale bread, he would fight back, but if you give him something healthier and more substantial than the bread, then he would throw away the bread himself and accept your better food. The same is for God. So, instead of adamantly trying to demolish that God, I rather attempt to channel those sentiments associated with it in the human psyche towards something more productive and humane.
My mission is to make the external God of human society obsolete in front of humanity’s internal Godliness.
As a humanist scientist I focus on giving humanity something rejuvenating, healthy and productive, instead of wasting my energy on the negative elements of the man-made God. Remember, negativity cannot be destroyed with negativity. Fill the humans with positivity and the negative elements would eventually become powerless. Darkness cannot be repelled with darkness. It takes light to do that.
Being a scientist does not mean simply saying the hard truth. You can do that in your journal publications, for later scientists to have the raw data to scrutinize and then draw conclusions from. But other than that you have another important job, that is to represent the truth to people beyond the bounds of journal articles, in a way that brings most positive outcome in the society. And that’s where you turn from a run of the mill scientist into a glorious humanist scientist – a thinker by all means.
Humanism itself is the basic quality that defines us humans. And every human who gives humans preference over everything else is a humanist. And when a scientist turns this simple internal character into an important part of his or her work, that scientist becomes a humanist scientist. Then on, his work is no longer purely about the discovery of truth, but also to mould that truth in a proper fashion before presenting it to the humans. Mind you o brave scientist, your job may be to find the truth, but the purpose behind that finding is to take the human civilization a few steps forward. You are a scientist, which means, you have the most effective tool in the entire world, that can actually shape the world, both literally and metaphorically. So, use that tool called science wisely. Science is like religion – in the wrong hands, they both do more harm than good.
So, make sure that your hands are the right hands. The world is filled with scientists, yet it is suffering from the agonies caused by its people. It’s because the world lacks courageous humanist scientists. What the world needs today my friend, is not yet another researcher of science, but a conscientious scientific researcher of humanism. Now, my question to you is – are you that person whom the world is desperately searching for? Are you?
Remember, as long as you deem science and philosophy merely as your work, such work shall only be a drop in a giant unfathomable ocean. You need to make science and philosophy your life, and only then you shall give rise to a tsunami of humanistic progress. It is a tsunami waiting to happen. It’s only a matter of time that you realize the true purpose of your life and make that tsunami manifest, first within and then without. Become the tsunami of practical optimistic truth and wash away all the weaknesses and horrible stains of the human world.
Further Reading
Principia Humanitas
Love, God & Neurons: Memoir of a scientist who found himself by getting lost
A person can be a humanist in his or her personal life, but in professional life the sole identity of a scientist is a scientist. Now in this case, there is a small proportion of scientists, whom I call “humanist scientists”. The goal of a scientist is to dedicate himself or herself to the search of the raw, unfiltered, pure truth. Here comes the twist. The purpose of a humanist scientist is to discover the purest form of truth possible, and then apply it to the human society in a way that brings most positive outcome in the path of global progress.
For example, the idea of God which has been imposed on us by our society, has nothing to do with the reality. God is not an Supernatural Entity watching over earth and its inhabitants. God is exclusively a part of human consciousness. Without the humans there is no God. Without us, there is no God, that any living creature should be concerned of. However, I never attempt to take away people’s God from them, because that God is associated with a lot of human sentiments in the human psyche that act as fuel in daily survival. If you try to take away some hungry man’s stale bread, he would fight back, but if you give him something healthier and more substantial than the bread, then he would throw away the bread himself and accept your better food. The same is for God. So, instead of adamantly trying to demolish that God, I rather attempt to channel those sentiments associated with it in the human psyche towards something more productive and humane.
My mission is to make the external God of human society obsolete in front of humanity’s internal Godliness.
As a humanist scientist I focus on giving humanity something rejuvenating, healthy and productive, instead of wasting my energy on the negative elements of the man-made God. Remember, negativity cannot be destroyed with negativity. Fill the humans with positivity and the negative elements would eventually become powerless. Darkness cannot be repelled with darkness. It takes light to do that.
Being a scientist does not mean simply saying the hard truth. You can do that in your journal publications, for later scientists to have the raw data to scrutinize and then draw conclusions from. But other than that you have another important job, that is to represent the truth to people beyond the bounds of journal articles, in a way that brings most positive outcome in the society. And that’s where you turn from a run of the mill scientist into a glorious humanist scientist – a thinker by all means.
Humanism itself is the basic quality that defines us humans. And every human who gives humans preference over everything else is a humanist. And when a scientist turns this simple internal character into an important part of his or her work, that scientist becomes a humanist scientist. Then on, his work is no longer purely about the discovery of truth, but also to mould that truth in a proper fashion before presenting it to the humans. Mind you o brave scientist, your job may be to find the truth, but the purpose behind that finding is to take the human civilization a few steps forward. You are a scientist, which means, you have the most effective tool in the entire world, that can actually shape the world, both literally and metaphorically. So, use that tool called science wisely. Science is like religion – in the wrong hands, they both do more harm than good.
So, make sure that your hands are the right hands. The world is filled with scientists, yet it is suffering from the agonies caused by its people. It’s because the world lacks courageous humanist scientists. What the world needs today my friend, is not yet another researcher of science, but a conscientious scientific researcher of humanism. Now, my question to you is – are you that person whom the world is desperately searching for? Are you?
Remember, as long as you deem science and philosophy merely as your work, such work shall only be a drop in a giant unfathomable ocean. You need to make science and philosophy your life, and only then you shall give rise to a tsunami of humanistic progress. It is a tsunami waiting to happen. It’s only a matter of time that you realize the true purpose of your life and make that tsunami manifest, first within and then without. Become the tsunami of practical optimistic truth and wash away all the weaknesses and horrible stains of the human world.
Further Reading
Principia Humanitas
Love, God & Neurons: Memoir of a scientist who found himself by getting lost
No Such Thing as Objective Truth | Sin Dios Sí Hay Divinidad
There is no such thing as an objective truth, it’s all subjective. Unless the brain finds a way to observe the universe, independent of the brain, every truth is subjective truth.
To hell with truth, I say! Better lose truth, than lose your humanity. Better lose truth, than lose love. Love first, truth second. Humanity first, intelligence second!
My theology is not rooted in God, but in people. My philosophy is not rooted in knowledge, but in people. My science is not rooted in reason, but in people. Mi iglesia son humanos, mi cielo son humanos, mi fe son humanos.
Divinity and worship are two different things. Worship is an act of self-preservation, divinity is an act of self-annihilation – divinity is annihilation of the self for the uplift of others. Let the people find a shelter in you, and you shall attain an eternal shelter in them. Un corazón amable es un corazón religioso.
Where there is indoctrination, there is control. Where there is control, there is no love. And where there is no love, there is no religion. Scripture is literature, period – nothing more, nothing less. If you cannot speak of religion, without quoting your scripture, you don’t understand religion.
In the fight between love and god, love always wins. And whenever love wins, god wins. Why? Because god is love, god is oneness. And love is but oneness in practice. Love is not something that merely enhances existence – love is existence.
To hell with truth, I say! Better lose truth, than lose your humanity. Better lose truth, than lose love. Love first, truth second. Humanity first, intelligence second!
My theology is not rooted in God, but in people. My philosophy is not rooted in knowledge, but in people. My science is not rooted in reason, but in people. Mi iglesia son humanos, mi cielo son humanos, mi fe son humanos.
Divinity and worship are two different things. Worship is an act of self-preservation, divinity is an act of self-annihilation – divinity is annihilation of the self for the uplift of others. Let the people find a shelter in you, and you shall attain an eternal shelter in them. Un corazón amable es un corazón religioso.
Where there is indoctrination, there is control. Where there is control, there is no love. And where there is no love, there is no religion. Scripture is literature, period – nothing more, nothing less. If you cannot speak of religion, without quoting your scripture, you don’t understand religion.
In the fight between love and god, love always wins. And whenever love wins, god wins. Why? Because god is love, god is oneness. And love is but oneness in practice. Love is not something that merely enhances existence – love is existence.
More Important Than Truth (The Sonnet) | The Pastor Who Never Was
In the beginning even I was,
Bedazzled by the concept of truth.
It took me some time to,
Step across the lure of truth.
That is when I realized that,
Every brain creates its own truth.
So we’d never achieve harmony,
With the heartless pursuit of truth.
Understanding the definition of truth,
May differ from person to person.
But the virtues of basic goodness,
Need no divisive interpretation.
Always place love first, truth second.
Humanity first, intelligence second!
Bedazzled by the concept of truth.
It took me some time to,
Step across the lure of truth.
That is when I realized that,
Every brain creates its own truth.
So we’d never achieve harmony,
With the heartless pursuit of truth.
Understanding the definition of truth,
May differ from person to person.
But the virtues of basic goodness,
Need no divisive interpretation.
Always place love first, truth second.
Humanity first, intelligence second!
Esperanza Impossible Sonnet 2
Truth is the pandemic,
Truth is the terror.
My truth versus your truth,
Your truth versus another.
We speak of truth as if it’s a constant,
We chase it as antidote to our insecurity.
Most of our truths bring not understanding,
We cook up truth to fan our self-centricity.
Truth, in truth, is the opposite of stagnation,
Contraction repels all hope for understanding.
Truth is not a fixed point, but an act in motion,
Truth is the courageous act of a mind expanding.
Hence, to seek security one must not seek truth.
To seek truth, with security you must cut all truce.
Truth is the terror.
My truth versus your truth,
Your truth versus another.
We speak of truth as if it’s a constant,
We chase it as antidote to our insecurity.
Most of our truths bring not understanding,
We cook up truth to fan our self-centricity.
Truth, in truth, is the opposite of stagnation,
Contraction repels all hope for understanding.
Truth is not a fixed point, but an act in motion,
Truth is the courageous act of a mind expanding.
Hence, to seek security one must not seek truth.
To seek truth, with security you must cut all truce.
Rowdy Scientist Sonnet | Rowdy Scientist
Science is neither boastful nor bashful,
Science stands dutybound, forever mindful.
Science gives the final answer as a ray of hope,
With all avenues exhausted to the last granule.
Science is neither defensive nor offensive,
Science can’t afford such primitive prerogative.
Transcending binary norms science acts whole,
Defying the comfort of all corrosive narrative.
Science is slave to none, science enslaves none,
Science blooms from reason, endorsing curiosity.
But don’t ever confuse curiosity with cynicism,
Curiosity brings understanding, cynicism apathy.
Average scientists seek answers,
Great scientist seeks questions.
Submissive scientists chase solutions,
I’m a Rowdy Scientist, give me problems!
Science stands dutybound, forever mindful.
Science gives the final answer as a ray of hope,
With all avenues exhausted to the last granule.
Science is neither defensive nor offensive,
Science can’t afford such primitive prerogative.
Transcending binary norms science acts whole,
Defying the comfort of all corrosive narrative.
Science is slave to none, science enslaves none,
Science blooms from reason, endorsing curiosity.
But don’t ever confuse curiosity with cynicism,
Curiosity brings understanding, cynicism apathy.
Average scientists seek answers,
Great scientist seeks questions.
Submissive scientists chase solutions,
I’m a Rowdy Scientist, give me problems!
We Are The Scientists (Sonnet 1214) | Abhijit Naskar | Rowdy Scientist
“SCIENCE means Sapient, Conscientious, Infinite Exploration, Never Compromising Empathy.”
“We Are The Scientists
(Sonnet 1214)
Justifying human rights violation as
necessary evil may be habit of politicians.
Scientists must be wiser than that, otherwise,
Science is just a weapon of mass destruction.
Scientist without humanity is anything but scientist,
Science without humanity is anything but science.
Civilized scientists work for the progress of humanity,
Primitive scientists work for the progress of science.
Progress of science is not necessarily progress of humanity,
Particularly when science advances trampling human life.
World leaders may brush off such matter as collateral,
To a scientist with spine nothing is higher than human life.
Whole world is in our care, beyond all law and politics.
We are capable, we are accountable – we are the scientists!”
“We Are The Scientists
(Sonnet 1214)
Justifying human rights violation as
necessary evil may be habit of politicians.
Scientists must be wiser than that, otherwise,
Science is just a weapon of mass destruction.
Scientist without humanity is anything but scientist,
Science without humanity is anything but science.
Civilized scientists work for the progress of humanity,
Primitive scientists work for the progress of science.
Progress of science is not necessarily progress of humanity,
Particularly when science advances trampling human life.
World leaders may brush off such matter as collateral,
To a scientist with spine nothing is higher than human life.
Whole world is in our care, beyond all law and politics.
We are capable, we are accountable – we are the scientists!”
Truth is the terror | Abhijit Naskar | Esperanza Impossible: 100 Sonnets of Ethics, Engineering & Existence
“Esperanza Impossible Sonnet 2
Truth is the pandemic,
Truth is the terror.
My truth versus your truth,
Your truth versus another.
We speak of truth as if it’s a constant,
We chase it as antidote to our insecurity.
Most of our truths bring not understanding,
We cook up truth to fan our self-centricity.
Truth, in truth, is the opposite of stagnation,
Contraction repels all hope for understanding.
Truth is not a fixed point, but an act in motion,
Truth is the courageous act of a mind expanding.
Hence, to seek security one must not seek truth.
To seek truth, with security you must cut all truce.”
Truth is the pandemic,
Truth is the terror.
My truth versus your truth,
Your truth versus another.
We speak of truth as if it’s a constant,
We chase it as antidote to our insecurity.
Most of our truths bring not understanding,
We cook up truth to fan our self-centricity.
Truth, in truth, is the opposite of stagnation,
Contraction repels all hope for understanding.
Truth is not a fixed point, but an act in motion,
Truth is the courageous act of a mind expanding.
Hence, to seek security one must not seek truth.
To seek truth, with security you must cut all truce.”
Afterlight Sonnet | Abhijit Naskar | The Humanitarian Dictator (First Drop)
Forget about afterlife,
focus on afterlight,
light that is left behind,
by your deeds of life.
We need to paint the world human,
not red, blue or red, white and blue.
We need to stretch our mind unchained,
if the human is to ever come true.
Lever of life is believer of life,
Fever of love is fervor of love.
Speak truth where truth is needed,
but to those in pain give a little hug.
Never give a lecture unless you’re asked,
Encyclopedias bear facts, not meaning.
Measure of truth is the good it does,
Truth without heart is bigotry supreme.
focus on afterlight,
light that is left behind,
by your deeds of life.
We need to paint the world human,
not red, blue or red, white and blue.
We need to stretch our mind unchained,
if the human is to ever come true.
Lever of life is believer of life,
Fever of love is fervor of love.
Speak truth where truth is needed,
but to those in pain give a little hug.
Never give a lecture unless you’re asked,
Encyclopedias bear facts, not meaning.
Measure of truth is the good it does,
Truth without heart is bigotry supreme.
Inevitable Human (The Sonnet) | Abhijit Naskar | The Humanitarian Dictator
Failure is inevitable,
Defeat is optional.
Suffering is inevitable,
Self pity is optional.
Ridicule is inevitable,
Bitterness is optional.
Treachery is inevitable,
Vendetta is optional.
Heartbreak is inevitable,
Heartlessness is optional.
Ignorance is inevitable,
Bigotry is optional.
Biases are inevitable,
Prejudice is optional.
Amidst indecisive animals,
stand human inevitable!
Defeat is optional.
Suffering is inevitable,
Self pity is optional.
Ridicule is inevitable,
Bitterness is optional.
Treachery is inevitable,
Vendetta is optional.
Heartbreak is inevitable,
Heartlessness is optional.
Ignorance is inevitable,
Bigotry is optional.
Biases are inevitable,
Prejudice is optional.
Amidst indecisive animals,
stand human inevitable!
What is Truth (The Sonnet) | Abhijit Naskar | Brit Actually: Nursery Rhymes of Reparations
There is not one but two truths,
truth of facts and truth of good.
Truth of facts is worth the honor,
when it serves the truth of good.
Truth of facts thrives on logic,
an effective antidote to prejudice.
Where it sucks the sweetness of life,
truth of facts is carrier of malice.
Truth of facts is carrier of logic,
Truth of good is carrier of life.
Often times they cohabit the mind,
sometimes facts only undermine life.
Pride of truth is the good it does,
without which all facts are futile.
Truth of good is truth absolute,
absence of heart makes logic vile.
truth of facts and truth of good.
Truth of facts is worth the honor,
when it serves the truth of good.
Truth of facts thrives on logic,
an effective antidote to prejudice.
Where it sucks the sweetness of life,
truth of facts is carrier of malice.
Truth of facts is carrier of logic,
Truth of good is carrier of life.
Often times they cohabit the mind,
sometimes facts only undermine life.
Pride of truth is the good it does,
without which all facts are futile.
Truth of good is truth absolute,
absence of heart makes logic vile.
