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Does ignorance of science cause people to fear the future?
Ignorance of science often seems to turn people against science in a knee-jerk sort of manner. Technology, the application of science, benefits everyone on a daily basis in ways ranging from medicine, to eyewear, to information to defend individual rights, and more. Yet, technology, and the science behind it is often villified. This seems akin to situations wherein a celebrity is exhalted for their humanitarian efforts, but people pounce on the celebrity like vultures when one mis-statement is posted in the media. So, what do you think: is science "evil" incarnate and the cause for great trepidation about the next dawn?
Interesting how technology and science are often confused, as it is so easy to do. Cloning is an application of science using particular technology, but cloning, in and of itself, is not necessarily science. Indeed a lab mouse clone for medical research is far different than a pet dog cloned for a millionaire at a private, COMMERCIAL firm.
To Jenn: The use of celebrities in the question was there by way of analogy and did not imply a direct link between science and famous people. I think perhaps you misread or misunderstood the context of the materials presented.
A fear of the unknown is indeed normal / natural to our human condition, but science is meant of expand into the unknown, mysterious realms of nature and discover their workings. This means that there is less unknown in nature, and hence less to be feared. Scientists are the pioneers opening this frontier and paving the way for the rest of us to homestead in the comfort of the technology that developes therefrom. A different path might be to live in mud huts with a life expectance of 25 years, no medical system, and the fear of the dark outside the fire light. The Dark Ages of Europe must have been a fun period, eh?
STOP. I DID NOT state that science is "evil incarnate". That is a gross misreading and misrepresentation of my views on this topic. I am a huge booster of science and a rereading of the question is highly warranted by anyone who would think otherwise.
8 Answers
- Neptune2bsureLv 61 decade agoFavorite Answer
I don't think science is evil incarnate as you state, the definition of science is knowledge through proven arguments.
Most of what is scientific shows how things work, or put in motion, laws such as laws of physics don't always fit what most consider the norm of scientific research and therefore falls within a subject called paranormal, but it is still a science.
Just because it hasn't been proven doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Right? Scientists willing to look outside the box are the ones that will obtain what we now view as impossible. Impossible is a word that should not be used by true scientists without proof of the impossibility for example.
I am hopeful that the next dawn of ages will bring about inter galactic travel, the ability to communicate without the necessity's of wire, voice recognision authentication devices. Science has always lightened the load not made more obtuse, lets give the great thinkers their due.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Hmmmm. There are things about science that I do not like. It has nothing to do with lack of understanding, I just feel its unneccessary and against nature. Like fertility drugs and cloning.
YES, I know the reasons for them and why my opinion will never stop it BUT personally I wish it wasn't so.
There is the saying "Just because you CAN do it doesn't mean you SHOULD". And just because we have the ability to make it does not mean we can fully understand the pros and cons of it and what if the cons ultimately outweigh the pros...like nuclear bombs?
- tre_132mpLv 41 decade ago
Look since the known existence or religion science has been a feared realm of life. people use to think the hand of God pushed the sun through the sky, lighting is now a known part of science. so to answer your question ignorance of science is almost the fear of everything we encounter.
- 1 decade ago
Science is a little scary and I do wonder about the future. Especially with subjects like cloning...I wonder what they will be like because I know it is only a matter of time once the ball is rolling it doesn't really stop..I don't think celebrities really have much to do with science though.
- ana_is_a_catLv 41 decade ago
Science is good if it is used to do good and it is bad if used to do bad. Basically, science itself is a neutral thing. It is the people who use it who are either good or bad.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Only the Christians.
- IN AtlantaLv 41 decade ago
No- fear of the future or fear of practically anything is traced back to fear of death.
Science is nothing to be scared of.
