Science, Technology, and Us
Science is not something that just happens in a laboratory, separate from the real world. Science and society have a deep, two-way relationship. Scientific discoveries have profoundly changed human society, and the needs of society often direct the course of scientific research.
How Science Impacts Society
Think about your daily life. Nearly every aspect has been shaped by scientific advances.
Medicine: The germ theory of disease led to the development of vaccines, antibiotics, and sanitation systems. These discoveries have saved billions of lives and dramatically increased human lifespan.
Agriculture: Scientific understanding of genetics and soil chemistry led to the Green Revolution, which involved developing high-yield crops and effective fertilizers. This has allowed us to feed a growing global population.
Communication and Information: The discovery of electromagnetism and the development of semiconductor physics are the foundations of all modern electronics. Without this science, we would have no electricity, computers, internet, or smartphones.
How Society Impacts Science
Science doesn't just happen in a vacuum. The problems and needs of society often determine what questions scientists try to answer.
Wartime Research: Major conflicts have often spurred rapid scientific and technological development. For example, the need for navigation and code-breaking during World War II led to major advances in radar and the early development of computers.
Public Health Crises: The emergence of new diseases, like AIDS in the 1980s or the recent COVID-19 pandemic, focuses a huge amount of scientific effort on understanding the virus and developing treatments and vaccines in a very short amount of time.
Energy Needs: As society recognizes the problems with fossil fuels, it drives scientific research into renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and battery technology.
Science vs. Technology
These two terms are closely related but are not the same.
Science is the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake. It is the process of understanding how the natural world works.
Technology is the application of scientific knowledge to solve practical problems. It is the creation of tools, machines, and processes.
Science discovers that a certain material is a semiconductor. Technology uses that knowledge to build a transistor. Science discovers the laws of aerodynamics. Technology uses that knowledge to build an airplane. Technology is often the engine that allows for new scientific discoveries (e.g., building better telescopes allows for new discoveries in astronomy).
The Limits and Ethics of Science
Science is a powerful tool, but it has limits.
Science cannot answer questions about morality, ethics, or supernatural beliefs. Science can tell you how to clone a sheep, but it can't tell you whether you should.
Scientific research must be conducted ethically, with a high regard for the safety and welfare of human subjects and animals. Societal values play a crucial role in setting the rules for what is considered acceptable scientific practice.