Impact of Science on Society

Scholars and philosophers began to reevaluate old notions about other aspects of society in the wake of the Scientific revolution. They sought new insight into the underlying beliefs regarding government, religion, economics, and education. An idea that was reevaluated was: a monarch’s rule is justified by divine right. The new idea was that a government's power comes from the consent of the governed. John Locke held a different point of view. He believed that people could learn from experience and improve themselves. Locke criticized absolute monarchy and favored the idea of self-government. A French writer, Montesquieu, proposed the idea that separation of powers would keep any individual or group from gaining total control of the government.

Much credit should belong to scientists for making important technological and medical discoveries in the world. In Bishop,'sEnemies of Promise," well known scientists point out views regarding their belief in science. Representative George E. Brown, Jr., who has been trained as a physicist admits that "his faith in science has been shaken." He feels that as our knowledge of science increases, so do the occurrence of social problems. Brown, Jr. Feels that the progression of science should lead to diminishing social problems rather than an increase.(238) The real question is, is science to blame, or are the humans creating science to blame? Critics such as Brown and Lamm "blame science for what are actually the failures of individuals to use the knowledge that science has provided." Frankenstein, The Modern Prometheus, is a good example of a myth about a scientist who took science to an extreme.

I argue one of the most significant outcomes of post WWII era was the Space Race during the 1950’s of The Cold War. The outcome of the Space Race saw advancements in technology that allowed humans to reach the outer depths of the universe. This is a major contribution to the 21st century; however, I assert that one of the most fundamental and perhaps ignored redefining impact of the Space Race was that it improved the educational system and put more emphasis on learning and research in all disciplines.

Technology has had a major impact on human successes over the past million years. Possibly the single most influential event in the public’s interest when it comes to science and technology, would be the Apollo II mission. The space field has had a major impact and also has provided us with the ability to learn new technology and advance in our latest technologies. Since the first man walked on the moon, science has advanced at a rapid pace; nuclear power, television, jet

It is change, continuing change, inevitable change that is the dominant factor in society today. No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be. These are the words of science fiction writer Isaac Asimov

From the ancient Greeks to present day American scientists they have used the power of science to further the lives of all mankind. For thousands of years science has proved to make life easier and to further our own understandings of how the world works. Science has proven to improve our own well being through the enhancement medicines and the thorough knowledge of the human body. Diseases have been beaten back by the great efforts of science and human life extended to its limit. Many great people have and will contribute to the growth of science to increase the comfort and life of mankind not for selfish gain but for the knowledge of bettering the world.

Adventure’s in the Atomic Age displays the idea that financial barriers and difficult courses should not be what is stopping someone from being successful in the field of science. “Scientists would feel a sense of purpose and inner satisfaction even if their efforts were not important to the world in which we live. In actuality, of course, there is no group of persons on whom society as a whole depends so heavily” (292).

The reality of change is a scary but a necessary situation during life. It brings people together through hard times, like hurricane Katrina. It could tear a society apart as it did to the Roman Empire when it fell into the wrong hands of a blood thirsty dictator. Changes could be harmless, in the sense that human life didn’t die because of it, like East Africa transitioning from a jungle to a grassland. Changes sometimes go unnoticed, like the sky changing from sunny to partly cloudy. Throughout all these different kinds of changes, people react in different ways and may make hard, indecisive decisions on how to solve or deal with the problem or issues. Change effects humans differently throughout time or in a matter of an over night experience,

In the present day, society depends on Science greatly; it supplies jobs, provides technology capable of saving lives, and furthers our society in many positive ways. However, society often misses the negative aspects of Science. Vonnegut identifies many problems with the general perspective on Science in Cat's Cradle,

“Science and experimentation drives job creation, produces economic growth… The Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs added considerably to America’s national honor, fostered countrywide spirit of and attracted countless children into careers in math and science” (Source E). Technology through NASA has frequently pushed the brilliant minds of America, and when upcoming generations witness the successful achievements they too feel obligated to make those devices more efficient, user friendly, and cheaper. These highly intelligent scientist are setting the standard for adolescent innovative minds and this organization not only promotes scientific inquiries, but moves future generations to become better than their

The scientific revolution was a time where people started asking questions and challenging the government and other forms of authority. The scientists in this era tried to question religion and turn away from it. Many scientists were enemies of the church and were often banished. Although there were some scientists in the church and often tried to answer questions about there religion. This time period often led to new views on nature and society and changed the thoughts of many people. The advancements of subjects of all kinds increased drastically during this time. People were now using facts and reasoning instead of opinions and beliefs to find the answers. People also didnt rely so heavily on fate and beliefs of higher beings and

Science was born deeply intertwined within the Western cultural realm. It developed snuggly with ideas of European grandeur through the “grace and favor of Almighty God” (Lindqvist, pg.11). “The cultural conditioning these [scientists] had absorbed early in their careers influenced more than their writing: it skewed their research (Freedman). Coinciding with scientific inquiries of

Other phrases throughout the first four pages use words like "nightmare", "destroy", "haunt", and "anguish" to attract readers to how seriously society takes awareness of science. These phrases get readers to feel the urgency of the views against science in society. The dark phrasing successfully shows that society has taken a responsible view against incorrect scientific application.

Alan Francis Chalmers is an associate professor who works extensive in the history and philosophy of science (physical). Alan Chalmers has taught at the University of Sydney since 1971, first in the School of Philosophy, and from 1987 at the Unit for the History and Philosophy of Science. He attained a B.Sc. in physics at the University of Bristol, and his M.Sc. in physics from the University of Manchester. His Ph.D. on the electromagnetic theory of J.C. Maxwell was granted by the University of London. He was elected a Fellow of the Academy of Humanities in 1997. He has been a Visiting Scholar at the Flinders Philosophy Department since 1999.

Science is an important part of our every day lives. We wake up each morning because we hear the ringing of our alarm clocks and turn on our faucets to wash our faces with warm water. We turn on the lights in our rooms to see our clothes and get dressed and we put our breakfast in the toaster and sip coffee from our mugs. All these things we do in the short time we are rushing to get ready for work or school, are due to the advancement of science and technology.