Amardeo Sarma, long-time chairperson and co-founder of the "Society for the Scientific Investigation of Parasciences" (GWUP), has launched a new nonprofit organization. "Scientific Temper" aims to promote a "modest, scientifically open-minded attitude" and is supported by the Giordano Bruno Foundation.

The term "Scientific Temper" was already used in the 19th century to describe a critical, fact-oriented mindset willing to embrace "new insights, new discoveries, new experiments, even when their results challenge preconceived opinions and long-held theories." In 1922, Bertrand Russell illustrated the importance of "Scientific Temper" using the example of Albert Einstein, whose theories "turned the entire theoretical framework of traditional physics upside down." Russell remarked: "Yet physicists everywhere have shown complete readiness to accept his theory as soon as it appeared that the evidence was in its favour. But none of them, least of all Einstein himself, would claim that he has said the last word […] This critical undogmatic receptiveness is the true attitude of science.

The term gained widespread recognition in India after Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India, placed it at the center of his political agenda in 1946. Nehru wrote: "The scientific approach ["Scientific Temper"] shows the path humanity must take. It is the mindset of a free individual. [...] What we need is the scientific approach, the adventurous and yet critical temper of science, the search for truth and new knowledge, the refusal to accept anything without testing and trial, the capacity to change previous conclusions in the face of new evidence, the reliance on observed fact and not on pre-conceived theory, the hard discipline of the mind, all this is necessary, not merely for the application of science but for life itself and the solution of its many problems."

Even Scientists Are Not Immune to Dogmatism

Born in Kassel but having spent his youth in India and studied in New Delhi, Amardeo Sarma has drawn inspiration from his second homeland. Through "Scientific Temper," Sarma seeks to advance science while addressing current misguided developments. "Unfortunately, even science is not always immune to dogmatism, especially when political and ideological perspectives influence how reality is interpreted," Sarma explains. "It is all too easy to confuse one's own values with empirical reality, which might be structured quite differently. Many self-proclaimed skeptics are no exception to this."

The Giordano Bruno Foundation (gbs), which has supported the skeptic movement for many years, has pledged its support for Sarma's new project. "We live in an era of 'outragism,' where for many, the priority is to align with the 'morally correct side' rather than impartially weighing differing perspectives," says gbs spokesperson Michael Schmidt-Salomon. "Even in skeptic circles, it has unfortunately become fashionable to attack scientific research findings not because they are empirically incorrect but because they conflict with one's own values. This makes supporting the approach of 'Scientific Temper' all the more important."

Supporting a School Project in Uganda

"Scientific Temper" aims to strengthen the "modest, scientifically open-minded approach" not just in German-speaking regions but also internationally. This is evident in its inaugural project: supporting the Municipal High School in Kasese, Uganda. "Scientific Temper" has enabled the school to acquire computers and essential laboratory equipment, including tools and reagents that are indispensable for the secondary school laboratory.

Amardeo Sarma explains: "Our support aims to encourage school children to develop scientific thinking and improve their abilities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. We believe this investment in educating Uganda's youth will have a long-term impact on the community, the country's development, and far beyond. Africa is poised to be the 'continent of the 21st century.' We cannot be indifferent to what happens there. Therefore, we view promoting critical, scientific thinking and improving educational opportunities for African children and youth as a vital investment in the future."