We often imagine scientists as champions of logic—people who test hypotheses, analyze data, and debunk myths. But peel back the layers, and you might find something surprising: even those deeply immersed in science are not immune to the pull of superstition.
Across societies, superstitions, customs, and traditional beliefs persist, quietly passed down from generation to generation. They’re stitched into the fabric of our lives—often followed unconsciously, with no one stopping to ask why. Before we can even begin to think scientifically about these practices, we need to first notice them. And that awareness usually comes not from textbooks, but from experience—a passing comment, an odd ritual, or a moment that challenges our assumptions.
For many, formal education might seem like the natural antidote to blind belief. But the truth is more complicated. Despite years of schooling, even the most scientifically educated individuals can struggle to apply their rationality beyond the confines of their discipline. It’s not uncommon to find scientists who conduct cutting-edge research by day and still follow age-old customs at home— fasting on certain auspicious day, checking horoscopes, or avoiding meat on specific days.
This contradiction often begins early. As children, we absorb the customs around us—like not stepping out during an eclipse, avoiding certain activities during menstruation, or interpreting the fall of a lizard on us as a bad sign. These practices vary based on region, religion, caste, socioeconomic status, and family background, but they are near-universal in presence. Rarely are they questioned.
When we start learning science in school, we’re introduced to a new way of thinking—one that demands evidence, encourages skepticism, and values logic. Slowly, we begin to notice the inconsistencies. We start to ask, “Why do we do this?” But too often, those questions are dismissed. “You won’t understand,” adults say. Or worse, “Don’t question tradition.” Eventually, we stop asking. We comply—not out of belief, but out of habit. The practices remain, unquestioned, and we move on.
Later, science becomes an academic pursuit. We excel in exams, earn degrees, and specialize in fields like engineering, medicine, or pure sciences. Some of us go on to research, working in prestigious institutions, designing experiments, and contributing to the global body of knowledge. Within the four walls of the laboratory, we apply the principles of science with rigor. But once we step outside, that mindset just fades.
Even within scientific spaces, subtle forms of irrationality still linger. It’s not uncommon to find researchers timing the start of an experiment with an “auspicious day,” or submitting a paper for publication only during a “favorable hour.” Some hesitate to leave experiments unattended—not due to technical concerns, but because it feels unlucky. Others invoke religious faith to drive research, interpreting success or failure as divine will rather than the result of design or error.
This blending of personal belief with professional inquiry may seem harmless—but it sends a problematic message to the public.
In society, scientists are often seen as role models—symbols of truth-seeking and rationality. When individuals in such respected positions openly follow practices disconnected from evidence-based science, it creates confusion. It sets a precedent that such duality is not only acceptable, but ideal. Worse, young students and aspiring scientists may be discouraged from thinking critically when they’re told, “Even that famous scientist believes in it—why don’t you?” This undermines the very spirit of scientific inquiry.
In such moments, genuine practitioners of rational, evidence-based science are sidelined. Their insistence on questioning norms is brushed aside in favor of the “successful” scientist who still adheres to superstitions. This, over time, dilutes the scientific ethos and gives rise to the misleading idea that science and irrational belief can comfortably coexist.
We must actively educate the public that scientists are not a monolithic group. They are, first and foremost, human beings—shaped by their upbringing, environment, and personal beliefs. Science doesn’t automatically erase inherited traditions or emotional attachments. But the key distinction lies in awareness. Not every scientist represents the spirit of science, and not every belief deserves equal weight in scientific discourse.
Society needs to understand that belief and knowledge are not the same. Evidence-based science demands rigor, repeatability, and reason. And while people may carry their private beliefs, those in scientific roles must be especially mindful of the example they set—because the impact of their actions extends beyond the lab and into the collective understanding of what science truly means.
And finally, we must remember: after all, scientists are also like other people. They belong to the same society as everyone else. They grow up with the same stories, customs, and rituals. They too have diverse beliefs, ideologies, and emotional attachments. But that’s where the journey toward true scientific thinking begins—not by pretending to be immune to bias, but by acknowledging it.
As individuals, we each carry our own bundle of beliefs.
I, too, may hold certain superstitions or irrational habits. But the responsibility lies with me—to reflect on them, to question them, and to correct them. That is the path to a more scientific mindset—not just in theory, but in practice. In our lives, in our work, and in our vision for humanity.
Because science, at its heart, is not just about discovering new truths. It’s also about unlearning old assumptions—and having the courage to grow beyond them.
-Dr. Vinayak Kamble
