4.3 Intellectual Rubbish
Complete textbook exercise solutions — Maharashtra State Board (Balbharati), Grade Nine.
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Warming Up!
- (a) Your Science teacher tells you that plants exposed to the sunlight grow faster than those always in the shade.
I will agree and perhaps conduct a small experiment at home with two potted plants to verify the fact scientifically. - (b) Your aunt tells you not to go for a job interview because it's a no moon day, that very same day.
I will politely explain to her that my preparation and skills matter for the interview, not the phase of the moon, and I will definitely go for it. - (c) Your friend argues with you that Mount Everest is not the tallest peak in the world.
I will not get angry. Instead, I will show my friend facts from a reliable geographical encyclopedia or website to prove that Mount Everest is indeed the tallest peak. - (d) A stranger at your door claims to be a magician and promises your mother to turn all her silver jewellery into gold.
I will immediately stop my mother from giving him the jewellery, lock the door, and inform the police or neighbours about the fraudster.
Notice: The pairs of words given (e.g., act naturally, liquid gas, open secret, sound of silence, sweet sorrow, original copy, only choice, growing smaller) are examples of an Oxymoron—a figure of speech in which two words with opposite or contradictory meanings are used together.
- (a) What a beautiful mess you've got us into!
- (b) It's a genuine imitation of a diamond necklace.
- (c) My trip to Matheran was a working holiday.
- (d) With such heavy make up, she looks beautifully ugly.
- (e) A small crowd gathered to see the magic show.
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Margin Questions
◆ What erroneous notion did Aristotle have?
Aristotle had the erroneous notion that women have fewer teeth than men.
◆ What does his example convey to you?
His example conveys that even great minds and geniuses can make silly errors if they rely on assumptions and think they know, instead of making simple, practical observations.
◆ How can you prevent developing a dogmatic attitude?
You can prevent developing a dogmatic attitude by becoming aware of opinions held in different social circles, traveling to other places, seeking out people you disagree with, reading opposing newspapers, and having imaginary arguments with opponents to test your beliefs.
◆ What do you feel when (a) someone opposes your strong belief? (b) someone insists that 2+2=5?
(a) If someone opposes a strong belief without evidence, one usually feels angry.
(b) If someone insists that 2+2=5, one feels pity rather than anger, because the person's opinion does not shake one's own logical conviction.
◆ What two examples does the writer give to those who have opinions that flatter their self-esteem?
The writer gives the examples of men and women being firmly convinced of the superior excellence of their own sex, and of every nation being persuaded that their own nation is superior to all others.
◆ What is the only way to tackle such self-pride?
The only way to tackle such self-pride is to remind ourselves that man is just a brief episode in the life of a small planet in a little corner of the universe, and that other parts of the cosmos may contain beings far superior to ourselves.
◆ What two evils does fear lead to? How can one overcome fear?
Fear leads to two major evils: superstition and cruelty. One can overcome fear either by persuading ourselves that we are immune from disaster, or by the practice of sheer courage.
◆ What is the aim of primitive magic?
The aim of primitive magic is to secure safety, either by injuring enemies or by protecting oneself using talismans, spells, or incantations.
◆ How did the prophetess befool her believers?
She asked her assembled followers if they were entirely persuaded that she could walk on water. When they all replied "We are," she announced that in that case, there was no need for her to actually do it, sending them all home fully satisfied and befooled.
English Workshop
- (a) fatal mistake → silly mistake, grave mistake, careless mistake
- (b) foreign customs → local customs, traditional customs, old customs
- (c) unappetizing diet → healthy diet, balanced diet, poor diet
- (d) plentiful supply → short supply, limited supply, continuous supply
- (e) simple device → complex device, advanced device, smart device
- (f) savage controversy → bitter controversy, ongoing controversy, minor controversy
- (g) modern technique → ancient technique, traditional technique, new technique
- (h) foolish custom → wise custom, old custom, strange custom
- (a) to be prone to: Young children are highly prone to catching colds during winter.
- (b) to have a difference of opinion: My brother and I always have a difference of opinion regarding which movie to watch.
- (c) to go beyond: A true friend will go beyond their comfort zone to help you in times of need.
- (d) to have a beneficial effect: Practicing yoga daily has a highly beneficial effect on both physical and mental health.
- (e) to have a bias: The referee seemed to have a bias against the visiting team.
- (f) to undo: He desperately tried to undo the damage caused by his harsh words.
- (g) to be wary of: One must always be wary of strangers offering free gifts on the internet.
- (h) under the influence: It is extremely dangerous to drive under the influence of strong medications.
(a) One should avoid getting angry about a difference of opinion.
Because getting angry usually indicates that your belief is going beyond what the evidence warrants, and you subconsciously know that you have no good reason for thinking as you do.
(b) The writer found his stay abroad very profitable.
The writer found it profitable because living in countries like France, Germany, Italy, and the US helped in diminishing the intensity of his insular prejudice and made him aware of opinions held in different social circles.
(c) The writer grew less dogmatic and more open-minded.
He grew less dogmatic by frequently having imaginary dialogues with hypothetical opponents (like Mahatma Gandhi), which helped him test his arguments and realize the possible reasonableness of opposing views.
(d) Men declaring that they are Saints write letters to the writer.
Because superstitions and such irrational beliefs are not always dark; they sometimes add to the gaiety of life, and the writer enjoys the amusement and variety that such letters bring.
(e) The writer claims that all false beliefs need not be replaced by cold science.
Because replacing all such beliefs entirely with cold science might cause the world to lose some of its interest, variety, and the harmless amusement (gaiety) they sometimes provide.
- (a) device (noun): The smartphone is a very useful electronic device.
devise (verb): The engineers had to devise a new plan to fix the broken bridge. - (b) advice (noun): My grandfather gave me some excellent advice on saving money.
advise (verb): I strongly advise you to double-check your answers before submitting the test. - (c) practice (noun): It takes years of daily practice to master playing the violin.
practise (verb): You must practise writing essays every day to improve your grammar.
Grandmother: Beta, your uncle has been sick for weeks. The medicines aren't working quickly. I think someone has done black magic on him. Let us call that baba from the neighboring village; he cures such victims!
Granddaughter: Dadi, I understand you are very worried about uncle's health. We all are. But please don't fall for these baseless superstitions. There is no such thing as black magic.
Grandmother: But how do you explain his sudden weakness? The baba has a magical talisman!
Granddaughter: Dadi, illness is caused by viruses or bacteria, not magic. Uncle has a severe viral infection, and the doctor already told us it will take a few weeks for him to recover fully. These babas only play on people's fear and helplessness to extract money.
Grandmother: You think they are just tricking us?
Granddaughter: Yes, Dadi. Trust the science and the medical reports. If we stop his medication to try magic spells, his condition will only worsen. Let’s have patience and trust the doctors. Science is the real cure here.
Grandmother: You have a point, beta. I was just scared. Let's continue the doctor's treatment and pray for his quick recovery.
- Making observations yourself instead of just assuming you know.
- Being aware of your own bias when an opposing opinion makes you angry.
- Seeking out people with whom you disagree to understand different viewpoints.
- Reading newspapers belonging to a party that is not yours.
- Having imaginary arguments with a hypothetical opponent having a different bias.
- Being extremely wary of opinions that flatter your self-esteem.
- Admitting your fears and conquering them to avoid myth-making and superstition.
(a) If an opinion contrary to your own makes you angry, what does it indicate?
It indicates that you are subconsciously aware of having no good reason for thinking as you do, and that your belief is going beyond what the evidence warrants.
(b) What are the most savage controversies about?
The most savage controversies are those about matters as to which there is no good evidence either way.
(c) What are the benefits of travel?
Travel is very profitable in diminishing the intensity of insular prejudice by making one aware of opinions held in different social circles and foreign customs.
(d) Is the influence of foreign customs always beneficial?
No, it is not always beneficial. For example, when the Manchus conquered China, instead of dropping their own foolish customs, the Chinese and Manchus both adopted each other's foolish customs.
(e) What are the advantages of an imaginary argument with a person having a different bias?
The one advantage is that it is not subject to limitations of time and space. It allows you to test your arguments, helps you realize the possible reasonableness of a hypothetical opponent, and makes you grow less dogmatic.
(f) Why should one be wary of opinions that flatter one's self-esteem?
Because self-esteem conceals the truth from most people, leading to irrational beliefs of superiority (like thinking one's own sex or nation is superior) to which there is no demonstrably right answer.
(g) How does fear lead us to error?
Fear leads to error by inventing rumors of disaster, imagining objects of terror (like ghosts), and creating belief in comforting myths (like the elixir of life). It is the main source of superstition and cruelty.
(h) What are the two ways of avoiding fear?
The two ways are: either by persuading ourselves that we are immune from disaster, or by the practice of sheer courage.
'Intellectual rubbish' refers to the various foolish opinions, irrational beliefs, dogmatic attitudes, and baseless superstitions to which mankind is prone, despite a complete lack of evidence or logic.
- cautious × reckless / rash
- dogmatic × open-minded / flexible
- contrary × similar / agreeing
- savage × mild / gentle
- beneficial × harmful / detrimental
- reasonable × irrational / unreasonable
- hypothetical × actual / real
- cruelty × kindness / compassion
- immune × vulnerable / susceptible
Person A: I strongly believe that only girls should learn to do all the housework, as it prepares them for their future roles in running a family.
Person B: That is a very outdated and patriarchal view. Housework is a basic life skill, not a gender role. Why shouldn't boys learn to cook and clean for themselves?
Person A: Because historically, men are supposed to focus on careers and providing financially, while women manage the home.
Person B: But in today's world, women are also focusing on careers and providing financially. If both partners work outside, shouldn't both partners share the household chores equally?
Person A: I suppose, but boys are generally not good at household tasks.
Person B: That is just a stereotype. Skills like cooking or doing laundry are learned through practice. By teaching boys these skills, we make them independent and respectful of domestic work. Both girls and boys should be equally capable of taking care of a home.
Person A: You make a fair point. Independence is important for everyone, regardless of gender.