SCIENCE, SOCIETY, AND BLIND BELIEFS

Human society for as long as we can think back, through our own knowledge, experiences and studies, has been caught in a complex web of science and blind beliefs. These two viciously warring forces have made human living beyond an incomprehensible and sluggish journey from birth to increasingly transitory death and human life a viciously mix of being scientific and superstitious.

-- transition of the human mind from theology to metaphysics and, then, to science ("positive" state) has been featured in the works of August Comte, the father of sociology, which shows the abandonment of the theological and metaphysical phases and unrestricted adherence to scientific method.

-- theology: existence of supernatural or divine powers.

-- metaphysics: existence of impersonal powers, occult qualities and vital forces. The realm of observable facts is considered as an imperfect copy or imitation of eternal forms.

-- science:

-- evolution of thought patterns in the entire history of the humankind 

-- In the words of August Comte in his theory on human intellectual development, the law of three stages, human societies moved historically from a theological stage, in which the world and the place of humans within it were explained in terms of gods, spirits, and magic; through a transitional metaphysical stage, in which such explanations were based on abstract notions such as essences and final causes (eteology); and finally to a modern, "positive" stage based on scientific knowledge. 

Human beings are the most advanced form of life on this planet and quite different from

other life forms in almost whole aspects of living. Since life on this planet began evolving 3.8 billion years ago with the birth of biology,

the biological evolution has come a long way from the microbes to mamals to Homosapiens

to Sapiens sapiens now. And the researches of evolutionary biology suggest that since human evolution began about 5-6 million years ago, human species have evolved and are evolving quite distinct from other species, as animals have remained animals even their evolution began 2.5 billion years ago, plants (470 million years) have remained plants, and birds (100 million years) have remained birds in living, in scope, in environment, in traits, in activities, etc., and been confined to their same habitats, that

nature have designed for them. On the other hand, humans have constantly been transforming themselves in almost every aspect and redesigning nature to their favour, as human habitation now traverses land, water

and space. 

SOCIETY

-- Foundation 

-- Development 

-- Determinants

-- Transition 

-- Diversification 

-- Survival

Social scientists define human society as a group of people who interact with each other and share a common culture and institutions.

It was the Paleolithic era over 2 million years ago when the 1st human society in the form of nomadic tribes of hunter-gatherers. Then around 11000 years ago the Neolithic period began when humans discovered farming and domesticated animals for food that the modern nation-state began transforming the society into a more complex form. And upto this most complex state modern civilization, human society came through a number of early civilizations, strikingly Mesopotamian civilization, Egyptian civilization, Norte Chico civilization, and Indus Valley civilization.

BELIEF SYSTEM 

Blind beliefs: 

The origins of belief systems may date back to the cognitive revolution, when humans evolved the ability to think abstractly and communicate about things beyond the present, which later evolved into organized religions with detailed mythologies and spiritual practices.

Blind belief, or blind faith, is the belief in something without reason, or an unquestioning belief in something that is unreasonable or wrong.

It can also be defined as any belief or practice that one performs without having a logical or scientific reason behind it. It is a sentimental and subjective attachment to something. 

It is believing in something without a rationalization or logic behind it. It is also due to absence of common sense.

Aristotle defined human beings as rational animals.

Human beings are endowed with reason and intellect, which allow them to perform cognitive operations like reasoning, judging, and forming concepts.

Superstitions often center around the belief that an object, person or situation is imbued with magical power that makes good or bad things happen.

-- superstitions provide certain psychological benefits, for example, indulging a superstition can alleviate stress.

-- superstitious beliefs can amplify placebo effects. 

-- superstitions also come with costs.

-- a superstitious belief comes frim either a belief in falsehood or rejection of truth.

-- Superstitions have two main causes: cultural tradition and individual experiences... If one grew up steeped in the superstitions of a particular culture or religion, they may carry these beliefs forward, even subconsciously. 

-- People believe in superstitions for a variety of psychological, cultural, and social reasons. 

-- superstitions are long-held beliefs that appear to be rooted in coincidence or cultural tradition rather than logic or facts.

-- superstitions are often connected to pagan beliefs or religious practices that were widespread in the past.

-- superstitions offer a way to feel more in control and reduce anxiety in certain situations. So highly educated, sophisticated people believe in certain superstitions.

-- key reasons why people hold superstitious beliefs: managing uncertainty, anxiety relief, performance enhancement, social and cultural influence, cognitive biases, (also called the confirmation bias, responsible for noticing instances where superstitions seem to peovide benefits), pattern recognition (human brain is wired to recognize patterns and make connections, which is a tendency), emotional resonance (superstitions evoke strong emotional responses), etc.

-- in a complex and unpredictable world, superstitions can offer a sense of control over one's environment and fate, allowing individuals to feel empowered in their lives.

-- having been passed down through generations, superstitions become part of a person's cultural identity, and a symbol of tradition and heritage. So they instil a sense of belonging and continuity, 

-- while some superstitions are harmless, yet some can play into mental health conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

-- According to the American Psychological Association, many people know that their superstitious rituals or beliefs are disconnected from reality. But that does not mean that they are ready to let go of the belief.

        One study strongly suggests that superstitions powerful intuitions that our brains do not want to correct. While the logical part of us may know that our superstitious behaviors do not affect outcomes, holding on to them is still a way of "playing it safe".

Problems of being too superstitious: 

-- development of a chasm between imagination and reality

-- 

Causes of superstition 

1) Illiteracy

2) Ignorance 

3) Poverty

4) Others

SCIENCE 

Spirit of enquiry, scientific temper, humanism

Article 51A(h) of the Indian Constitution, which is one of the 11 fundamental duties, reads, "(It shall be the duty of every citizen of India) To develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of enquiry and reform."

"Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition."   -- Adam Smith

"Superstition is to religion what astrology is to astronomy the mad daughter of a wise mother. These daughters have too long dominated the earth."   -- Voltaire 

CONCLUSION 

References: 

1) Belief in the paranormal among adult Americans. Skeptical Inquirer 

2) Witch hunting: A case of gender violence in the garb of vigilantism in India. International Journal of Advanced Research in Management and Social Sciences 

3) Witchcraft and poverty in Africa: A pastoral perspective. Black Theology  

4) Witch hunting: Major reasons behind its existence with special reference to Assam. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Studies   

5) Half-belief and the paradox of ritual instrumental activism: A theory of modern superstition. British Journal of Sociology 

6) A case study of the effects of superstitions and beliefs on Mali socio-economic development. International Journal of African and Asian Studies 

7) Belief of tribals in supernatural power and its relation with religious life (with special reference to tribal society). International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews  

8) Erosion of belief and disbelief: Effects of religiosity and negative effects on beliefs in the paranormal and supernatural. The Journal of Social Psychology  

9) The effect of superstitious beliefs on performance expectations. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science 

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