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RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SCIENCE TO SOCIETYFrom whence ethical values: personal values; cosmic purpose?
"In the 20th Century ..,. (mankind's ) ...historically unique combination of loneliness and power is complex, thrilling and potentially lethal. " (Sunday Times 7 Feb. '99) The question of what is good and bad has taxed moral philosophers back to the times of Plato (c. 427 - 347 BC) and beyond. Now we now have to find answers to new types of questions. Man can for the first time intervene in his own evolution, is it wise to do so? Is human cloning intrinsically wrong and why? Should we benefit from cheap sources of power and leave future generations a legacy of greenhouse gases? Will they have the knowledge and means to control global warming? Science and Ethics: Web sites to search Science & Ethics: bibliography As science progresses, we must acknowledge a relentless call to weigh risks against benefits. Society needs to resist temptations of commercial or other pressures, to rush ahead too fast, and must allocate ample time to appraise the risks. The appraisals should be backed-up with thorough practical investigations where appropriate. In the main, applied science has an impressive track record but we are living in unique times and mistakes have been made in the past. Science has led to the provision of outstanding benefits to civilisation in such fields as transport, energy, communications, health, whilst in pure science, the recent advances knowledge of cosmology and sub-nuclear physics is truly inspirational. looking ahead, the impact of electronic networking on society in the long term is beyond the imagination. ELECTRONIC NETWORKINGThe Electronic Frontier Foundation is a valuable organisation which examines problems arising as a result of the explosive growth of electronic networking. It also looks after the interests of bona fide surfers, and is well worth a visit. It is surprising at times to discover how much is going on behind the scenes. I came upon this site quite by chance! IMAGE OF SCIENCE In the past damage has been done to the image of science as a result of careless or poorly-motivated applications. It is important that science has a good public image for it relies heavily on the public and the politicians for financial support. Science will be sorely needed to alleviate future problems in an overpopulated and it will doubtless enhance the quality if life. Subject to proper regulations, science deserves more support from those holding society's purse strings. Less weight should be put on short-sighted applications of cost benefit analyses. This game which mainly benefits accountants often does not work to society’s best long-term advantage! For an enlightened long term approach to science visit the Starlab Project (involving international university collaboration). Extracts From the Starlab mission statements:-
reasons of its initiatory or speculative nature.
the brainpower there where it will happen.
It is important also to acknowledge the aesthetic side science, a factor that can get overlooked. Science can in a sense be regarded as one of the arts. It uplifting through its discoveries: look for example at the discoveries of the Hubble telescope. Both my scientific and imaging interests were also aroused by stunning pictures taken by the Hubble telescope and the NASA space vehicles. They are excellent illustrations of the creative abilities of man and of nature.
My abstract comment on creativity, based on the Grande Arche in Paris.
MAINTENANCE OF ETHICAL STANDARDSThe advances in the medical sciences are more worrying than those in the physical sciences: they seem bound to have a major and immediate impact on society. The ethical problems posed seem dwarf past worries such as disposal of radioactive wastes. articles on transgenics are already looming large in the press. Biotechnology, in particular potential applications of knowledge gained from the Genome Project, raises new and profound ethical issues. Applications can be for good or bad. The pace of technological development in areas of medical science is frighteningly rapid, and a close watch must be kept on these developments. Careful thought has to be given to sort of society to which they are leading. Is it right for foetal brain cells to be used to alleviate brain disorders in adults? Should we be taking chances with genetic engineering? We need to be quite clear where the responsibilities for maintenance of ethical standards lie, and this is by no means self-evident. (See Bertrand Russell's comments) Science & Ethics: Philosophy, Bertrand Russell We need responsible bodies with trained experts and representatives of different parts of society. They should have the right of access to all relevant new information (commercially sensitive or not). They should have powers to impose ethical standards on any projects where they judge them to be necessary. Governments will have move fast to ensure that legislation keeps pace with scientific progress. However there are growing numbers of university departments and legislators specialising in ethics so perhaps the hazards will be adequately contained. There are many organisations being established throughout Europe, but there is little coherence. Some are advisory, some are backed by the force of law but there are major differences between the nations. (See Science & Public Affairs, British Association, April 1999, pp 19 - 21)
The National Academy of Sciences, USA, has produced a valuable document for researchers:- SCIENCE IS A MODEL? Metaphysicians have suggested to me that science itself is but one of many models of reality, and that's very true, but that does not diminish its power. Show me another model that achieves such accuracy, regardless of time, place or social group and which has such predictive power! Science offers us protection from blind belief systems ( pity Galileo!). It offers a better quality of life when properly applied. RECRUITMENT TO SECURE OUR FUTURE Being an intellectually challenging subject, science requires lengthy training, and it requires good minds to reach and to extend the frontiers. It also requires broad minds to perceive the correct role for science in society. When compared with other professions we can see that scientists are underpaid. Students are aware this, with unfortunate and predictable consequences in career selection. This situation needs to be corrected if science is to attract the brains that it needs and deserves, and to serve society to best advantage. |
CREATIVITY OF MAN AND
NATURE