Why do humans believe in gods, miracles and Superstitions, and how has science challenged these beliefs?
From ancient myths to modern ideas, see how science carved our story
India has sent missions to the Moon and Mars, built a thriving digital economy, and emerged as a global tech hub. Yet, astrology columns flood television, numerology drives political campaigns, and ‘miracle cures’ often outpace medicine. This book dissects this paradox with rare clarity.
What makes this book interesting
· Religion, faith, tradition and belief are not the same, and each connects to science in different ways.
· Even with easy access to science, superstition and fake science still shape what people think and how decisions are made.
· Religion gives people comfort and meaning, but it’s often used in politics to create divisions.
· The book reminds us of India’s promise to build a society based on reason and scientific thinking, a goal that matters more today than ever.
Accessible and sharp, From Myths to Science is written for everyone who has ever questioned why irrational practices endure in a modern democracy. Raza blends history, philosophy, science, and contemporary events to map how belief, power, and science intersect in India’s evolving public life.
This is a book for students, thinkers, policy watchers, scientists, and anyone invested in the country’s democratic future.
Praise for From Myths to Science
‘An excellent analysis of the common roots of myth and science’ PROF. JON D MILLER, research scientist emeritus, University of Michigan
‘A masterful account of how science rose from myth and faith’ MRIDULA MUKHERJEE, former professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University
‘Raza . . . tackles with grace, passion and clarity that great dilemma of science communication of translating concepts into narrative’ MARTIN W. BAUER, professor of social psychology and research methodology, LSE
About The Author
Gauhar Raza is an Indian scientist, poet and documentary filmmaker known for advancing science communication and progressive thought. A former chief scientist at CSIR-NIScPR, he proposed the influential ‘Cultural Distance Model’ of Public Understanding of Science. He has authored acclaimed Urdu poetry, directed noted documentaries like In Dark Times, Inqilab and Jung-e-Azadi, and founded The Journal of Scientific Temper. Raza has represented India at major international festivals, blending scientific rigour with poetic sensitivity.
