Tired of seeing the dumb ignorance and scientism (science as a dogma) that has assorted Indian "seculars" "rationalist" and jihadis ranting against "cow urine." So here is thread.
First some background. Many modern medicines are derived from traditional remedies.
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First some background. Many modern medicines are derived from traditional remedies.
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Traditional remedies are those who efficacy has been tested over generations via memetic selection.
Otoh, "Scientific knowledge" of today, especially in medicine, is often based on limited data-sets and time periods and is regularly overturned.
https://twitter.com/sankrant/status/805695482030718976?s=20
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Otoh, "Scientific knowledge" of today, especially in medicine, is often based on limited data-sets and time periods and is regularly overturned.
https://twitter.com/sankrant/status/805695482030718976?s=20
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Native traditions (not religions) are knowledge transmission systems, which are local, organic, and validated over time.
Modern Science is also a valid knowledge system. The problem happens when it is treated as the "exclusive" way of knowing, mirroring monotheisms.
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Modern Science is also a valid knowledge system. The problem happens when it is treated as the "exclusive" way of knowing, mirroring monotheisms.
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Now, it is possible for these systems to cross-pollinate. Many "modern" medicines are compounds, extracted and isolated from plants & other substances uses in native societies. And modern science can continue to study these remedies using its methods.
4/ https://www.nature.com/articles/nplants2017109?proof=true1
4/ https://www.nature.com/articles/nplants2017109?proof=true1
The question is what kind of approach is appropriate for a real scientist when encountering claims of traditional remedies. Three stances are possible:
1. A priori rejection
2. A priori acceptance with follow-up experimentation
3. Skepticism, until "scientific" validation.
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1. A priori rejection
2. A priori acceptance with follow-up experimentation
3. Skepticism, until "scientific" validation.
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(1)A priori rejection, is the most unscientific and dogmatic approach. It substitutes enquiry with pre-determined ignorance, and is the least utility for scientific advancement. It is closed-minded dogma, akin to religion.
This is the default stance of India's secular jihadis.
This is the default stance of India's secular jihadis.
A priori rejection has no scientific basis. Rather it is like the moron-avidya of the local bully, who dismisses with loud laughter rather than research. ("Ha ha, stupid people think ___ works" (substitute ___ with turmeric, or neem, or charcoal in toothpaste, or gau mutra...)
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Traditional knowledge is often been seen to be later validated by science. TK accumulates in a process akin to natural selection. Thus (2) a priori acceptance, becomes a natural stance. A scientific mind than seeks to verify TK, leading to new discoveries and theories.
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The choice of "moderns" for (3) Skepticism, until "scientific" validation, *for themselves* can be understandable. A healthy open-minded curious skepticism can still contribute to scientific progress, as long as it does not a priori seek to ban those who practise the TK.
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Now, returning to gau mutra. The urine of the Indian cow Bos indicus has repeated mention as a significant remedy in both Ayurvedic texts as well as traditional practice across India. By its sheer widespread use, it would fall into the (2) category of respect, but validate.
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But even for (3) stance, there is enough literature which scientifically validates gau mutra in various anti-microbial uses "comparable with standard drugs such as ofloxacin, cefpodoxime, and gentamycin, against a vast number of pathogenic bacteria."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4566776/
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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4566776/
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Of course, the assorted "seculars" and jihadis could hardly read or comprehend scientific research. Science is like a Church to which they genuflect, and black knights storm out screaming "heresy" to behead pagan knowledge.
But gau mutra is a subject of particular derision.
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But gau mutra is a subject of particular derision.
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This derision is a result of multiple factors. Firstly, *because* Bos Indicus is revered by Hindus it is a source of Orientalist scorn as "superstition." Akin to how Pakistan jihadis slaughter a cow on an Indian flag to show supremacy over Hindus.
https://twitter.com/sankrant/status/1148970310424621057?s=20
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https://twitter.com/sankrant/status/1148970310424621057?s=20
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The second is Indian "convent educated" shame to talk of substances like urine. It embarrasses them as a sign of "backwardness" of their culture. No scientific enquiry is possible. And any knowledge awaits digestion and validation by the West.
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Traditional remedies are natural, organic and integrated with the environment Gaumutra was extensively used in farming as a pesticide and fungicide till "modern" "developed" "scientific temperament" replaced it with chemical cancer-causing pesticides.
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/aag/2015/620368/
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https://www.hindawi.com/journals/aag/2015/620368/
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The hegemony of one kind of scientific methodology as "the" system of knowing has multiple problems. It privileges certain institutions and journals, it is expensive (isolating a chemical and patenting it drives more profit than a natural remedy.)
16/ https://twitter.com/sankrant/status/855965800548544513?s=20
16/ https://twitter.com/sankrant/status/855965800548544513?s=20
There is a web of institutions, journals and profit-driven entreprises, which is the authority on knowledge.
Traditional knowledge is local and cheap. One isolates and patents a chemical, then attacks its source as "superstition", to maximize profit.
n/n https://twitter.com/sankrant/status/1087237079887695878?s=20
Traditional knowledge is local and cheap. One isolates and patents a chemical, then attacks its source as "superstition", to maximize profit.
n/n https://twitter.com/sankrant/status/1087237079887695878?s=20
No, it’s something worth exploring. Would people be interested if I wrote a book on this? Will take some work to fully flesh this out. https://twitter.com/leeladh99091741/status/1239624209250177024?s=21