Indian Skeptic - 2011 05

Magazine Overview

Title: INDIAN SKEPTIC
Issue: No. 02/05
Date: May 2011

This issue of the Indian Skeptic, an e-magazine distributed freely, focuses on rationalism, skepticism, and critical thinking. It features articles that examine prominent figures and phenomena through a rationalist lens, questioning faith-based beliefs and promoting scientific temper.

Articles and Content

Justice RA Jahagirdar (1947 - 2011)

This article, authored by Suman Oak, pays tribute to Justice RA Jahagirdar. Born on India's Independence Day, he was described as a truly independent spirit. Initially, as a judge, he refrained from public expression of his views but after retirement, he actively promoted rationalist, atheist, and humanist values among youth. His judgments were noted for their humane approach, exemplified by a case where he acquitted a woman accused of attempted suicide and infanticide, reasoning that her cries for help indicated an accident rather than intent. The article highlights his cheerful nature and his contribution to the rationalist cause, even after suffering a stroke. He credited his wife, Dr. Sharad Jahagirdar, as a modern 'Savitri' for her care. The piece also touches upon the decline of the rationalist movement in post-independent India due to the allure of secularism and socialism, and how Justice Jahagirdar recognized the enduring need for rationalism to combat human frailties like greed and fanaticism. He founded the 'Rationalist Foundation Trust' in 1995, organizing lectures and publishing materials to promote rational values. He also digitized past issues of the magazine 'Reason', the journal of the Rationalist Association of India, to preserve intellectual assets. The article concludes with a quote attributed to Justice Jahagirdar: "An irrational practice indulged in repeatedly by an individual or a society debilitates that individual and that society."

Atheist Eve

Authored by Tracie Harris, this section features a graphic illustration with the text "How good of Allah to guide those Navy Seals' bullets!". Tracie Harris is identified as a graphic designer from Austin, Texas, who created 'Atheist Eve' as a result of her recovery from a fundamentalist upbringing. The magazine reproduces 'Atheist Eve' with the author's permission.

The Phenomenon of Satya Sai Baba

Written by Pushpa M. Bhargava, this article critically evaluates the life and work of Satya Sai Baba following his death. Bhargava examines Sai Baba's claims of being a reincarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba and a divine being with miraculous powers. The author asserts that there is no scientific evidence for rebirth and that claimed miracles are often fabrications by the clergy, citing Mother Teresa as an example where miracles were invented for canonization. Bhargava suggests that Sai Baba's 'miracles' could be performed by ordinary magicians, mentioning Dr. M. W. Pandit and the rationalist Premanand as individuals capable of replicating such feats. The article questions the narrative of miraculous cures, noting the absence of reported failures and recounting an instance where Sai Baba attributed a child's death to divine will. It also discusses Sai Baba's charitable activities, suggesting they might mask ill-gotten wealth, and criticizes the large following he commanded, including politicians and bureaucrats. The author contends that Sai Baba's death was not a national tragedy, and the state funeral and mourning were inappropriate, diverting attention from the nation's commitment to a scientific temper. The article notes that Sai Baba's wealth was never transparently accounted for.

Bhagwan Satya Sai- Faith Marginalizes Reason

This article by Ram Puniyani delves into the controversies surrounding Satya Sai Baba. It highlights the turmoil following his death on April 24, 2011, and the widespread devotional activities. Puniyani questions the source of Sai Baba's vast empire and his ability to 'create' objects like Vibhuti and gold chains. The author contrasts Sai Baba's opulent lifestyle with the Spartan life of Shirdi Sai Baba, whom he claimed to be a reincarnation of. The article points out that Sai Baba, who claimed to have saved many lives, ultimately required ventilators. It also touches upon allegations of pedophilia and sexual abuse, and a murder case within his living quarters, suggesting that his influence at higher echelons of power prevented thorough investigation. The author notes that Sai Baba is not the first to claim divinity, mentioning Rajneesh (Osho) as another example. The article criticizes the state functionaries paying homage to Sai Baba's mortal remains, arguing that such actions are contrary to the Constitution's directive to promote rational thought and that rationalists were bypassed.

Book Review: Exasperating Essays : DD Kosambi

Authored by Prabhakar Nanawaty, this section reviews DD Kosambi's "Exasperating Essays". The review focuses on "Exercises in the Dialectical Method," suggesting that Kosambi's work provides insights into understanding complex issues through a rational and analytical approach.

Tools for Skeptical Thinking

This short piece, attributed to Carl Sagan, likely offers advice or perspectives on developing and applying skeptical thinking, a core theme of the magazine.

Believe Nothing ... ...

This brief entry, attributed to Buddha, serves as a concise philosophical statement, likely encouraging critical evaluation and independent thought rather than blind acceptance.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Indian Skeptic strongly advocates for rationalism, skepticism, and scientific temper. The editorial stance is critical of religious dogma, supernatural claims, and blind faith, particularly in the context of figures like Satya Sai Baba. The magazine promotes critical inquiry, evidence-based reasoning, and the importance of a rational worldview in personal and societal development. The inclusion of articles on Justice RA Jahagirdar and DD Kosambi further reinforces the magazine's commitment to intellectual rigor and the pursuit of truth through reason. The magazine also highlights the role of rationalist organizations and thinkers in society.

This issue of "Indian Skeptic" from May 2011 focuses on "Tools for Skeptical Thinking" with an extract from Carl Sagan's work, alongside articles critically examining various aspects of Indian society, politics, and intellectual thought.

Articles and Content

Tools for Skeptical Thinking by Carl Sagan

This section presents an extract from Carl Sagan's essay, "The Fine Art of Baloney Detection," encapsulating basic tenets of skeptical thinking. Key principles outlined include the necessity of independent confirmation of facts, encouraging substantive debate among knowledgeable proponents of all viewpoints, and recognizing that "authorities" can err, thus experts are more accurate than authorities. It advises spinning multiple hypotheses and systematically testing them, avoiding over-attachment to one's own ideas, quantifying phenomena for better discrimination, ensuring every link in an argument is sound, applying Occam's Razor to choose the simpler hypothesis when data is equally explained, and always ensuring a hypothesis is falsifiable.

Review of D.D. Kosambi's "Exasperating Essays: Exercises in the Dialectical Method"

Authored by Prabhakar Nanawaty, this review delves into D.D. Kosambi's collection of essays written between 1939 and 1957. The book aims to address misconceptions within the Indian elite society regarding social life and Marxism. Kosambi's work is presented as a comprehensive analysis of various socio-political issues, including the nature of leadership, the inevitability of mass changes, the trajectory of India towards socialism, the existence of a powerful class with opposing ideas, and the concept of freedom in science. The review highlights Kosambi's comparison of Marxism with scientific achievements, asserting its continued relevance. It also touches upon his critique of "Indian Official Marxists" and his views on the crystallization of leadership in social movements, drawing parallels with the Russian and German communist revolutions.

Kosambi's essays also explore the decline of Buddhism in India, attributing it to internal deviations, commercialization, and class distinctions among scholars. He analyzes the "The Class Structure of India," discussing the British bourgeoisie's impact and the transformation of Indian society, noting the rise of the Indian middle class as a dominant capitalist force. The review points out Kosambi's 1957 prediction of China's future prominence due to its social approach, contrasting it with India's situation, particularly regarding birth control acceptance.

In the essay "Science and Freedom," Kosambi criticizes scientists who believe in absolute freedom, emphasizing that science is part of society and has social necessities. He argues that scientific progress should relate to production and not solely be the accumulation of data. The review also mentions Kosambi's exploration of Socrates' death and his analysis of the social circumstances of that era.

Critique of Religious Influence and Fundamentalism

An excerpt from Tariq Ali's "The Clash of Fundamentalisms: Crusades, Jihads and Modernity" is featured, where Ali states his commitment to Enlightenment values and the necessity of religious criticism. He argues that the Enlightenment attacked religion for its ideological delusions and its system of institutional oppression. The magazine also discusses the phenomenon of 'Godmen' in India, noting how politicians visit them, and how faith is increasingly drowning reason, making criticism difficult. The rise of 'Godmen' is linked to existential anxiety in a section of the population, with a comparison to the LSD phenomenon of the 1970s.

Other Content

Dr. Ram Puniyani, associated with IIT Mumbai and secular initiatives, is mentioned as a contributor. The issue also includes information about rationalist associations like the Bangalore Vicharavadi Sangha and the Karnataka State Federation of Rationalist Associations, detailing their activities and contact information.

A quote attributed to Buddha emphasizes critical examination and analysis of doctrines before acceptance, focusing on their conduciveness to good, benefit, and the welfare of all beings.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes rationalism, skepticism, and critical thinking. It adopts a secular stance, questioning religious dogma, the influence of religious figures in politics, and blind faith. The editorial stance appears to favor scientific reasoning, intellectual inquiry, and a critical examination of societal structures, historical narratives, and political influences, particularly within the Indian context. The emphasis on D.D. Kosambi's work suggests a continued interest in Marxist analysis and historical materialism as tools for understanding contemporary issues.