Scientific temper
Also called: Article 51A(h) · Topic: Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Article 51A(h) asks every citizen to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform. Scientific temper means judging ideas by evidence and reason instead of blind belief. Humanism means caring about human welfare. The phrase "scientific temper" was made popular by Jawaharlal Nehru. The 42nd Amendment, 1976, added this duty. Like other duties, it applies only to citizens and courts cannot directly enforce it.
Example
A citizen who questions a superstition, such as a claim of a "miracle cure", and asks for proof before believing it is practising the scientific temper.
Don't confuse with
- Enforceable legal duties: critics say terms like "scientific temper" are too vague to be made legally binding. This is one argument against making fundamental duties enforceable by law.
Related concepts
- Fundamental duties
- Swaran Singh Committee
- Duty to abide by the Constitution
- Duty to defend the country
- Duty to promote harmony
- Duty to protect the environment