Sunday, September 7, 2008

Why Do Questions Arise?

While wasting time on orkut "ask friend" section, I encountered this question: why do questions arise? And I could not stop myself double out laughing. The unkempt, smiling, enthusiastic pic of the owner of the question made this laugh double over again. But the question is so basic in nature that it seems to be the reason why should any question be answered at first place. It seems to underlie all the questions that have been, that are being, or that will be asked. Why cannot we live and exercise our life just as it is without poking our nose or other parts in QUESTIONS of different sort. This seems to be the differentiating factor among humans and other living beings. Other living beings seem to inquire only to the extent that has to do something with their existence and other fundamental needs. Even not all humans have the habit of asking questions, otherwise our would not have been full of irrational things which would fade away if people start asking common sensical questions. That is not the case. Most people accept things as they have been told by leaders of different sort and ancestors and often story books (read religious scriptures). But there exists a small minority who do ask questions, especially children. Does this human trait of inquiry loses its vigor as the child grows into an adult becoming more and more bored, monotonous, robotic.? Another question that arises here is whether THIS IS (curiosity, questioning) the genetic difference between humans and other living beings that has culminated into vast differences in biological and social evolution.? Finally, another heartful of laugh for me. I searched "why do questions arise" on google and it returned Bible, Luke Chapter 24-38, another blind alley of unreason. Moral: Internet search engines do not understand philosophy.

Printing of Cost of Production and Maximum Retail Price bill

In India, Mandatory Printing of Cost of Production and Maximum Retail Price bill was presented in April 2006 but it was not passed and hence is non-functional. The bill said: It is generally seen that the prices of consumer goods sold in the markets are determined arbitrarily by the manufacturers. In this process, the manufacturers gain huge profits as the actual manufacturing cost is very low. The consumers’ interests are compromised and they are compelled to buy goods at much higher prices in comparison to actual manufacturing cost of goods. Thus, consumers are subjected to economic exploitation. No manufacturer wants to print the cost of production which in reality is way low than maximum retail price. The government committee formed to recommend ways to avoid exploitation of consumers (August 2008) was very much in favor of printing cost of production, but it faced huge protest from industry. This in a way shows how the government is controlled by the interest of industrialists rather than masses. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20061001/spectrum/rights.htm