Sri Lanka researchers told of dangers of romanticism

Dec 12, 2008 (LBO) – Researchers in Sri Lanka and elsewhere should not be guided by romanticism but approach an issue with an open mind and be prepared to change traditional ideas if their findings suggest otherwise, a top economist has said. Papers from Indian and Pakistani researchers as well as those from Sri Lanka would be presented in the two-day event, dean of the management faculty P S M Gunaratne said.

Wijewardene recalled the words of the Buddha when he preached to members of the Kalama clan not to accept an opinion simply because it has been heard often, because it was preached by teachers or respected priests.

The researcher who plans to engage himself in scientific inquiry should be free from the influence of previous knowledge or the traditions and should not be guided by mere logical considerations, he said.

Classicism vs Romanticism

Wijewardene says there are two approaches available to an individual trying to understand the nature of the real world. These were classicism and romanticism.

"Classicism shows the world by means of its underlying form. It proceeds by reason or by laws governing Nature," he said.

If a motor car engine is presented to a classicist, he would be interested in findi