On Nature and Knowledge

Reviewed by Shahnoor Wahid

When the profound thoughts of a scholar on myriad topics are collated with the mastery of a classic artist, the anthology becomes a repository of knowledge and a reader finds it worthwhile to embark on a journey down its winding path to quench his thirst. The array of essays between the covers of "On Nature and Knowledge" proficiently draws attention of the reader to the author's comments on intricate yet interesting branches of science and philosophy, often a mixture of both, thus  engaging one to read, question and ponder. Yes, a successful author is one who can present something that would stir his readers' mind and set their thinking faculty in motion.      

The author, Prof. Dr. Shahed Hassan, is the senior most Professor and former Chair in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Dhaka. An author of many books and publications, he has interest in diverse subjects, and deftly renders his assiduousness in explaining them in his own way.  He reminds us that On Nature and Knowledge is not a textbook, but one that should be read in leisure to enjoy the allusions. In his own words: ...." I have tried to make this humble attempt to document my thoughts and observations for those who are interested in this field of reckoning. In doing so, I have roughly marveled my thoughts and understanding into several chapters, while delinking from pure scientific realm. In a sense, the book is a kind of anecdote with variables hidden in our thoughts and surrounding realities."  

The thought-provoking observations and deliberations of Professor Shahed Hassan spring from his decades of teaching and engaging in research work on various subjects like sociology, anthropology, ethnoscience, population science etc., since his joining the University of Dhaka as a faculty in the mid-seventies. 

The book contains several chapters such as, Knowing our Living Barometers, Water is not Merely H2O, Social Functions of Flora, Japan thy Name is Tsunami, My Beyond Classroom Teachers, Endangered Indigenous Knowledge, Nature as Reflected in My Thoughts and Science Concealed in Nature.     

The chapter "Knowing our living Barometers" is about our biotic world and its interplay with dysfunctional behavior of nature. The second chapter "Water is not Merely H2O" elaborates on water's role in human life, in religion and in geo-politics of past, present and future. The third chapter "Social Function of Flora" deals with the importance of flora for the wellbeing of the humans and other life forms. 

In "Japan thy Name is Tsunami" the author narrates how natural disasters like Tsunami destroys something in its wake and what man can do to counterbalance its impact. "My Beyond Classroom Teachers" is rather an emotive piece on the author's attachment to his teachers and mentors at various educational institutes that he has attended in his long academic career, and also with the common people he met during the course of his research at home and abroad. He acknowledges their role and pays tribute to them from the core of his heart. In "Endangered Indigenous Knowledge" he juxtaposes indigenous teachings with traditional knowledge and laments the erosion of the former at the onslaught of technology. Yes, "Science Concealed in Nature" is a more philosophical rendition that attempts to find a link between nature in its pristine state and the evolving study of science, or we can say scientific study of nature. While one is wild, care-free and bountiful, the other is bound by the rules and regulations of methodical study.  

When an avid reader will go through each of those chapters he would be able to relate immediately to the extensive works done on these subjects, which are available in book form. Therefore, what Prof. Shahed Hassan does is he presents each topic in succinct form like a classroom lecture, goading the reader to go find more from the treasure trove of information.  

Over all, "On Nature and Knowledge" would rekindle the thirst for knowledge in a reader as he would finish reading the book. What could be more gratifying for an author than this?

The reviewer is Special Supplements Editor, The Daily Star. He can be reached at shahnoorwahid@yahoo.co.uk