Published Book or Work by:
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Impact of Science: Yesterday, Today and Tommorow
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| Published by Mustadol Computers, Ikirun, Nigeria |
| 15-01-2009 |
| Introduction.
A problem-driven phenomenon, like science, can best be tackled when considering its past in relation to its present. This will therefore ensure easy projection into its future, thereby resulting to perfect solution–preferred end. The advent of science – be it pure, applied or apploid/integrated - has brought a lot of transformation and reformation into the world.
Science, particularly in Africa and Asia, has abolished superstitions, monopoly of power and material resources and made information to have effective, fast and vast spread and restoration of peace and harmony in the world. No wonder, government of some developed countries like USA, developing countries like Nigeria and some underdeveloped ones like Sudan are seriously spending and focusing much on science and technology.
However, the same science has failed to proffer permanent solution(s) to some socio-economic problems like war/crisis, malnutrition/starvation, disease and insufficiency of the basic necessities of life such as food and shelter, and has created a lot of havoc in our society, et cetera.
Science and the Society of Yesterday.
Late 16th and early 17th centuries mark the beginning of real scientific activities in the world. Scientists then like Galileo, Newton and the likes were initially focused on biology and astronomy.
Findings of the then scientists like Faraday (the Father of electromagnetism), Einstein, and the likes were purposely carried out in order to appreciate nature. Science as a knowledge then was also consciously integrated with wisdom. And that is why socio-political and economic problems like war, disease, starvation, etcetera were at minimal and accommodative level. However, as science developed to the level of integrating with technology, the world began to experience the development of socio-political and economic problems.
Science and the Modern Age.
Nineteen century marks the beginning of modern scientific evolution. It is the time when the application of the discoveries of the past scientists becomes the order of the day. For instance, the Faraday’s concept of electromagnetism has now been transformed into automobiles, fans, electricity, military weapons and many others. Also, methods of communication, learning, administration and the likes are now fully technologised; deriving their bases from the past scientific findings and discoveries.
However, findings have also shown that modern science and technology is gradually abolishing virtue, harmony, love, compassion in the world. This can be traced to the fact that modern scientists have failed to consider the spirit of science and religion (i.e. truth and humility - wisdom) in their scientific activities.
Moreover, Krishna wrote and I quote:
Science (in the modern age) has generated tremendous
power; knowledge always gives power and is useful be-
cause it increases our abilities. But when we do not
have wisdom and love, compassion or brotherhood …,
then power can be used destructively. Sixty-five percent
of all the scientific research being done currently is dire-
ctly or indirectly meant for developing weapons, and
supported by Defense Ministry in every nation.
This can evidently be seen in the activities of the government of USA, Iran, Korea, Israel and Palestine, etcetera.
Conclusion
It should be noted here that too much of attention given to science at the detriment of other fields of knowledge like arts has drastically affected the whole nations. Modern scientists have also been discovered to have had incomplete education (i.e. lack of affective domain). And finally, findings have shown that selfishness, multiculture, multilingualism, nationism and disunity are the causes of the negative effects of science and technology in our society.
We therefore need independent science (i.e. a science that will consider other field(s) of knowledge in its practice). This will surely assist in:
(i) the achievement of universal unity, peace and harmony;
(ii) resolving the problem of malnutrition and starvation;
(iii) eliminating synthetic diseases like AIDS, cancer, and adequately
prevented other natural diseases.
(iv) creating avenue for solving, effectively, individual and collective
problem(s).
(v) creating a new conducive, prosperous and sustainable world for us to live in.
These can best be realized if the tomorrow leaders (the youth), irregardless of individual race or nation, can be psychologically, financially and morally empowered and monitored in the cause of carrying out the following tasks:
(i) Mass literacy and computeracy campaign;
(ii) Enlightenment campaign on the modern scientific, socio-
political and economic problems and their remedies;
(iii) Researches on how to proffer remedies to some scientific
problems – for instance, the Integration of Arts and Science for
Human and Non-human Benefits, etc..
(iv) Practical Millennium Development Goal programmes, etcetera.
References:
Brenner, S . “Impact of Society on Science”. Retrieved February, 2008 from www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/1411&hl=en&source=m
Krishna, P. “Impact of Science on Society”. Retrieved February, 2008 from http://www.pkrishna.org/impact-science-society.html
Russell, B. “Impact of Science on Society”. Retrieved February, 2008 from http:www.softsphereconsulting.com/gselzler/Blog/impactOfScienceOn Society.aspx
Other consulted materials/websites:
http://history.boisestate.edu/WESTCIV/science.
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