In any circumstances, science and superstition are always in the play. They sometimes compliment each other but there are also times when they confront with friction. In our history, there were many incidences when humanity's judgments were being challenged. One of the courses by which science and superstition collide is in times of calamities.
At the outset of year 2020, many Filipinos were shocked by a very striking event; the explosion of a an active volcano, the very famous landmark for its amazing topographical features, the Mt. Taal. This Volcano has been subject to many eruptions since the recorded history. No doubt that it is known as the second most active volcano in the Philippines. While many residents had had prepared for this kind of catastrophe, many people living in the immediate perimeter would prefer to let this small-but -terrible volcano take its long rest.
Then, the inevitable natural calamity take its full crest in January this year. The Government, as well as the scientific community, considered the explosion as a detrimental incident resulting to raising the alert level to its maximum. Mt. Taal is capable of producing all three of the deadliest volcanic hazards: tsunamis, mudflows, and superheated flows of gas and debris. That is why this event urged out residents to disperse out from the danger zones.
At one point, the scientific community, embodied by the agency "Phivolcs", ordered the local government to declare a total lock down by which any individuals cannot go back until the situation is pacified. However, many people decided to still pass through and come back to their houses despite the strict recommendation of the scientific entity. The residents seemed to be underestimating the order for their safety. In fact, one of the government officials said that the scientific entity was making things worst for the community, he explained that they were living in the area for many years and more than anyone else, they were the ones who can decipher if Mt. Taal would really erupt.
The scientific agency, Phivolcs, defended their declaration for it was based on observation and research, and still continued to operate the total lock down amidst the retaliation from some of the residents, until the situation get better and the residents were advised to come back to their houses.
However, recently, just a week ago, there was a news circulating around the community which said that the massive and catastrophic eruption will occur on the first week of February. The news came from one of their elders who allegedly "predict" things using some forms of precognition. Immediately, the news sprung out to all corners of the city and it rung a public alert to the residents. Some of them, in fact, evacuated themselves and went to farther cities because of the news. Some of them explained, while being interviewed, that they did this as caution. They believed because it was said by their elders, and there was nothing wrong to follow it, even it was not scientifically proven.
In this case, science and the conflict with dubious beliefs due to superstitious fuel emerged. The Phivolcs, estimated with their tools that the prediction was most likely not to happen. But some of the residents would rather follow the prediction than the suggestion of the scientific community.
As a Science teacher, it boggled my mind to know that some Filipinos, not all, are still in the box of superstitious thinking. I know that some superstitions are somehow scientific in some sense, but some are not dependable and absolutely false. Many superstitious beliefs linger on fear and ignorance of people which justify that it should be scrutinized, otherwise not to be followed.
It is clear to me that it is not good to believe something based on fear and ignorance. Rather, it can be better if we base our beliefs with reasons and evidences. These are more reliable and valuable to believe.
I hope that the filipinos and all the people in the world will be enlightened to decipher and discriminate between the truths and mere beliefs. Truths are actually scientific and logical and any beliefs, even superstitions, must adhere to science before it becomes truth.
_nosred
At the outset of year 2020, many Filipinos were shocked by a very striking event; the explosion of a an active volcano, the very famous landmark for its amazing topographical features, the Mt. Taal. This Volcano has been subject to many eruptions since the recorded history. No doubt that it is known as the second most active volcano in the Philippines. While many residents had had prepared for this kind of catastrophe, many people living in the immediate perimeter would prefer to let this small-but -terrible volcano take its long rest. Then, the inevitable natural calamity take its full crest in January this year. The Government, as well as the scientific community, considered the explosion as a detrimental incident resulting to raising the alert level to its maximum. Mt. Taal is capable of producing all three of the deadliest volcanic hazards: tsunamis, mudflows, and superheated flows of gas and debris. That is why this event urged out residents to disperse out from the danger zones.
At one point, the scientific community, embodied by the agency "Phivolcs", ordered the local government to declare a total lock down by which any individuals cannot go back until the situation is pacified. However, many people decided to still pass through and come back to their houses despite the strict recommendation of the scientific entity. The residents seemed to be underestimating the order for their safety. In fact, one of the government officials said that the scientific entity was making things worst for the community, he explained that they were living in the area for many years and more than anyone else, they were the ones who can decipher if Mt. Taal would really erupt.
The scientific agency, Phivolcs, defended their declaration for it was based on observation and research, and still continued to operate the total lock down amidst the retaliation from some of the residents, until the situation get better and the residents were advised to come back to their houses.
However, recently, just a week ago, there was a news circulating around the community which said that the massive and catastrophic eruption will occur on the first week of February. The news came from one of their elders who allegedly "predict" things using some forms of precognition. Immediately, the news sprung out to all corners of the city and it rung a public alert to the residents. Some of them, in fact, evacuated themselves and went to farther cities because of the news. Some of them explained, while being interviewed, that they did this as caution. They believed because it was said by their elders, and there was nothing wrong to follow it, even it was not scientifically proven.
In this case, science and the conflict with dubious beliefs due to superstitious fuel emerged. The Phivolcs, estimated with their tools that the prediction was most likely not to happen. But some of the residents would rather follow the prediction than the suggestion of the scientific community.
As a Science teacher, it boggled my mind to know that some Filipinos, not all, are still in the box of superstitious thinking. I know that some superstitions are somehow scientific in some sense, but some are not dependable and absolutely false. Many superstitious beliefs linger on fear and ignorance of people which justify that it should be scrutinized, otherwise not to be followed.
It is clear to me that it is not good to believe something based on fear and ignorance. Rather, it can be better if we base our beliefs with reasons and evidences. These are more reliable and valuable to believe.
I hope that the filipinos and all the people in the world will be enlightened to decipher and discriminate between the truths and mere beliefs. Truths are actually scientific and logical and any beliefs, even superstitions, must adhere to science before it becomes truth.
_nosred
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