Indian Skeptic - 2010 11

Magazine Overview

Title: INDIAN SKEPTIC
Issue: No. 01/11
Date: November 2010
Publisher: Indian Skeptic
Editor & Publisher: Manoj Trichambaram

This issue of Indian Skeptic, a free e-magazine distributed with the aim of promoting scientific temper, humanism, and inquiry, delves into various topics challenging superstition and religious dogma. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the magazine's opinion.

Featured Articles

Selections from Science versus Miracles: Creating Vibhuti (Holy Ash) - Sai Baba Style

Authored by B. Premanand, this article critically examines the claims of Satya Sai Baba, a godman who purports to possess supernatural powers. Premanand details the method used to create 'Vibhuti' (holy ash), describing it as a magician's sleight of hand. The process involves mixing perfumed ash with starch water, forming pellets, and then crushing them to appear as if they are produced from the fingertips. The article questions why such individuals refuse scientific investigation if their powers are genuine and highlights the potential for deception.

An Atheist's Marriage

Narendra Nayak shares a personal narrative about his experience seeking a marriage free from religious ceremonies, horoscope matching, and other superstitious practices. He details placing a newspaper advertisement for a like-minded partner and the societal reactions he faced. The article discusses the commodification of marriage, the financial burden of rituals, and the role of the priestly class. Nayak recounts his own atheist marriage, conducted under the Special Marriages Act, emphasizing his commitment to living life on his own terms without compromise. He also touches upon the criticism he faced for his stance and how he defended it with his marriage certificate. The article concludes with his brother's similar non-religious marriages and a reflection on the importance of leaders practicing what they preach. Nayak is identified as a Professor of Biochemistry and President of the Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations.

Atheist Eve: Gay Marriage

This section features a comic strip by Tracie Harris, a graphic designer from Austin, Texas. The comic, titled 'Gay Marriage', presents a dialogue that challenges conventional views on marriage and sexuality. It contrasts the natural progression of relationships and the desire for companionship with arguments against gay marriage based on perceived unnaturalness or health risks. The comic advocates for a more inclusive and rational understanding of relationships.

Understanding Logic: Philosophy With Selvi - Part II

Written by Ajita Kamal, this article continues the discussion on logic with Selvi and her mother Sandanam. It introduces the concept of justification of knowledge and explains that the formal study of this process is called Logic. The article uses a conversational approach, illustrating how arguments are made and evaluated. It also touches upon the differences in how humans and animals perceive and process information, and briefly contrasts theistic and atheistic approaches to generating complex ideas.

From the President of FIRA

This section, authored by Narendra Nayak, likely provides an update or statement from the Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations (FIRA).

Book Review: Trick or Treatment?

Prabhakar Nanawaty reviews the book 'Trick or Treatment?', which appears to explore the scientific explanations behind various phenomena or claims, likely related to miracles or pseudoscientific practices.

Letters

This section contains correspondence from readers, offering diverse perspectives and engaging with the magazine's content.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Indian Skeptic are skepticism towards supernatural claims, the promotion of rationalism and scientific temper, and the critique of religious superstitions and their influence on societal practices like marriage. The magazine advocates for critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning, and a secular approach to life. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of science and reason over faith and dogma, encouraging readers to question established beliefs and practices.

This issue of the Indian Skeptic, dated November 2010, features a range of articles covering philosophy, science, politics, and social commentary. The cover story, "Intimidation of Dissent and Rule of Superstition" by Narendra Nayak, addresses the suppression of opposing views and the prevalence of irrational beliefs in Indian society. The magazine also includes an in-depth discussion on the nature and history of logic, a critical examination of alternative medicine, and commentary on contemporary political and social issues.

Logic: A Philosophical Exploration

The issue dedicates significant space to the study of logic, presented through a dialogue between a mother, Sandanam, and her daughter, Selvi. This narrative explores the definition of common-sense logic, distinguishing it from formal logic systems. It introduces the three classical philosophical traditions of formal logic: Greek, Chinese, and Indian. The Greek tradition is noted for its emphasis on induction and deduction, with Aristotle being a key figure. Indian logic, particularly the Nyaya school, incorporated a mixed induction-deduction approach along with analogy. The Chinese logicians, on the other hand, favored analogy over induction-deduction. The article highlights that different schools of logic, despite core similarities, approached inference differently.

Key concepts like perception (gathering information through senses) and inference (drawing conclusions from logical arguments) are explained. The distinction between deductive logic (general to specific) and inductive logic (specific to general) is illustrated with examples. The text also touches upon newer forms of logic, such as interdependence-friendly logic and multimodal logic, and how modern science has redefined traditional logic.

Alternative Medicine on Trial

An article titled "Alternative Medicine on Trial" by Prabhakar Nanawaty critically examines complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). It highlights the prevalence of exaggerated claims and misleading information surrounding CAM, often promoted by figures like Prince Charles. The article references the book "Trick or Treatment?" by Simon Singh and Edzard Ernst, which rigorously evaluates CAM through the lens of scientific inquiry and controlled clinical trials. The authors argue that any treatment not validated by scientific methods should not be considered medicine, and at best is a placebo, and at worst can be dangerous and costly. The piece traces the historical development of the clinical trial as the gold standard for evaluating medical interventions, citing examples like James Lind's work on scurvy and Florence Nightingale's use of statistics in the Crimean War.

Political and Social Commentary

The cover article, "Intimidation of Dissent and Rule of Superstition" by Narendra Nayak, President of FIRA, criticizes the prevailing atmosphere of intolerance in India. Nayak discusses how religious fundamentalists and certain intellectuals are silencing dissent, citing examples of attempts to remove books from university syllabi and threats against writers. He draws parallels to the emergency period under Indira Gandhi, noting how those who were once victims of intolerance have now become perpetrators. The article also points to the infiltration of political systems by communalized elements and the misuse of public money for superstitious practices, such as black magic rituals, in Karnataka. The author highlights the case of Pattabhiram Somayaji, a lecturer targeted by an alleged student organization for his stance on communal harmony.

Another section discusses the resurgence of superstition, specifically black magic, in Andhra Pradesh, and the efforts by rationalist groups, including the IHEU, to advocate for legislation criminalizing such practices. The article expresses hope that such laws will be enacted nationwide.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly advocates for rationalism, scientific inquiry, and the rule of law. The editorial stance is critical of superstition, unproven medical claims, and political intolerance. There is a clear emphasis on the importance of critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning, and the scientific method as tools for understanding the world and making informed decisions, both in personal lives and in public policy. The magazine champions intellectual freedom and opposes the suppression of dissent and the manipulation of public opinion through irrational means.

This issue of "Indian Skeptic" from November 2010 focuses on critical analysis of alternative medicine and the principles of skeptical thinking. The magazine features articles that scrutinize various popular alternative therapies, questioning their scientific validity and efficacy.

Acupuncture

The article discusses acupuncture as an ancient treatment involving the flow of 'Ch'i' through meridians to rebalance the body's energy. It references James Reston's experience in China, which helped introduce acupuncture to the West. However, authors Ernst and Singh are unconvinced, citing a lack of robust evidence and methodological flaws in published studies. They conclude that acupuncture has inconsistent evidence for use in pain and nausea control.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy, developed by Samuel Hahnemann in the late 18th century, is presented as having "null" points in terms of evidence. Hahnemann's principle that "that which can produce a set of symptoms in a healthy individual can treat a sick individual who is manifesting a similar set of symptoms" is discussed, along with the practice of extreme dilution of remedies. Ernst and Singh attribute any perceived positive effects to the placebo effect or the body's natural healing. The article mentions a £10,000 reward offered by the authors for anyone who could prove homeopathy's effectiveness beyond a placebo.

Chiropractic Therapy

The founders of chiropractic therapy believe ill health stems from spinal subluxations, corrected by manipulation. The article notes that some chiropractors, termed 'mixers', treat conditions unrelated to spinal issues. It raises concerns about potential risks, including vertebral artery dissections and death, and mentions that some chiropractors perform manipulation without patient consent. The British Chiropractic Association (BCA) is criticized for making unsubstantiated claims about treating conditions like colic and ear infections, and for suing Simon Singh when he wrote an article calling their claims "bogus."

Herbal Medicine

Herbal medicine is presented as a more complex area, as some remedies, like St. John's Wort, do have some efficacy. However, the article warns of unpredictable interactions with conventional drugs and the danger of patients choosing herbal remedies over conventional medicine, citing cases of cancer victims who suffered due to this preference. It also notes that some herbal remedies are effective because they contain conventional medicines.

The Dangers of Unproven Therapies and Legal Challenges

Ernst and Singh propose that most alternative remedies rely on the ideas of being natural, traditional, and holistic, which they quickly dismiss. They advocate for warning labels on alternative medical treatments, similar to those on cigarettes. The article discusses the book "Trick or Treatment" and its critique of alternative and complementary cures, emphasizing the importance of the scientific method for public health policy. The authors identify at least ten culprits in the promotion of unproven medicine, including celebrities, sham researchers, universities, the media, and medical professionals. They criticize celebrities for endorsing treatments, universities for offering courses that legitimize alternative approaches, the media for inaccurate reporting, and doctors for prescribing alternative medicine to manage difficult patients.

The issue also touches upon the legal ramifications of criticizing these practices, particularly in the UK, where the burden of proof lies with the defendant in libel cases. The British Chiropractic Association's lawsuit against Simon Singh is highlighted as an example of how critics can be silenced.

Rapid Guide to Alternative Therapies

A "rapid guide" appendix to the book "Trick or Treatment" summarizes 36 additional popular therapies, including aromatherapy, hypnotherapy, and traditional Chinese medicine. It also describes various "fake gadgets" developed to deceive the public and mentions that the system of Indian Ayurveda has not been submitted to clinical trials.

Letters to the Editor

The "Letters" section includes a letter from S.G. Nagaraj, who expresses skepticism about the existence of the deity Ram and criticizes an article for using the subject to vent political angst. He argues that the discussion is political and that the author unfairly attacked major political parties. Another letter from Prabhakar Nanawaty thanks the magazine for the issue and a copy of a Karnataka High Court judgment, suggesting the judgment text could be an article for a rational magazine.

Skeptic News

This section provides information about upcoming events and contacts for rationalist associations in Bangalore and Karnataka, India.

Tools for Skeptical Thinking

An extract from Carl Sagan's essay, "The Fine Art of Baloney Detection," is presented, outlining key tenets of skeptical thinking. These include the need for independent confirmation of facts, substantive debate, avoiding arguments from authority, spinning multiple hypotheses, not getting overly attached to a hypothesis, quantifying findings, ensuring every link in an argument is valid, applying Occam's Razor, and ensuring hypotheses are falsifiable.

Buddha's Quote

The issue concludes with a quote attributed to Buddha, emphasizing the importance of critical examination and analysis rather than blind belief based on tradition, authority, or imagination.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards alternative medicine, the importance of scientific evidence and the scientific method, and the critical examination of claims. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of evidence-based reasoning and critical thinking, actively debunking pseudoscientific claims and highlighting the potential dangers of unproven therapies. The magazine also addresses the challenges faced by skeptics, including legal threats and media sensationalism.