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Impact of science on human values
Ethics in basic sciences
Ethics in the natural sciences
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To exercise authoritative or dominating influence over (“Control,” ), this is the definition of control. Authoritative and dominating can both be seen as words that provoke negative emotions. While control may be associated with those feelings, it is not always a bad thing. We reap in the benefits of control on a daily basis, whether we are aware of it or not. Scientists do what society wants them to do, thereby affecting the finding of science. Even how they arrive at a conclusion is determined by society telling them what is ethical and unethical. The methods and findings of science are molded off the restrictions and desires of society.
Before approaching what knowledge scientists pursue, we must first address how they are “allowed” to arrive at such conclusions, and how the knowledge is then affected. Humans are intrinsically good, and motivated to do good. From this we (as a society as well as individual) form ethics which define what is right and what is considered wrong. When individuals come together with the same definitions of what is right and what is wrong, we can then as a society define something ethical or unethical. The ethics of society is defined by society. When a method of collecting data and knowledge is deemed unethical we have a tendency to choose another path. For scientists, who are under the public eye, they do not have this choice. Many things prohibit scientists from doing something in an unethical way. Scientists want to be respected by the public, and if they are respected then their work is as well. Their drive to accomplish something and to make a difference is what then drives them to then abide by these ethics set up by society. If a scientist does not agree with the socially constructed and acce...
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...ve work would cease. “Individual scientists do not think. Scientific collectives think through individual scientists.” (Ludwik Fleck) This quote shows how we need to be able to build off of each other to achieve a greater understanding. This is not possible without a spark of inspiration. This inspiration comes from the requests of society, be that Western or otherwise. Therefore it can be deduced that society, including Western, must be embraced and not fought in order to gain knowledge and in time, truth.
In conclusion, the methods and findings of science are molded off the restrictions and desires of society. This can be seen by the regulations placed on different types of methods do to ethics. Based off the regulations this then restricts the finding of science. It can also be shown that scientists do things for society, what the society wants is what is found.
A famous thought experiment in quantum physics is that of Schrödinger’s cat. In this experiment, a cat is placed in a box with poison that has a chance to either explode, killing the cat, or not explode, allowing the kitty to live. Although some would object, we ought to open the box to see if the cat is alive or not. Similarly, we should attempt to uncover reality instead of accepting the current dogma. In his article, “Can the Sciences Help Us to Make Wise Ethical Judgements?” Paul Kurtz argues that not only can science help through inquiry but it already plays an active role in shaping our moral conduct. According to him, ethical judgement and science meet somewhat halfway and although we cannot come up with a specific set of instructions
This discussion focuses on two issues: the relationship between evidence and hypotheses; and, the role of "contextual" values in inquiry. Longino contrasts contextual values with constitutive values. The latter, the "values generated from an understanding of the goals of scientific inquiry," "are the source of the rules determining what constitutes acceptable scientific practice or scientific method" (L1990, 4). That these values influence inquiry is not a problem. But the former, "personal, social, and cultural values," are thought to threaten the integrity of scientific inquiry (L1990, 4-5).
When asked how he feels about the advancement of science to places that were once notions to be the job of the creator, Dr. Martin Luther King replies by saying, “Cowardice asks is it safe? Expedience asks is it political? Vanity asks is it popular? But the conscience asks is it right?”
Science is a way of approaching the world, knowing why and how things around us are occurring. The scientific method allows scientists to be precise and focused. Through that medium, they can determine which hypotheses are consistently supported such that they become theories and which need more modification or rejection. This type of knowing can be tested and quantified. Scientists strive to make their observations as objective as possible, to be devoid of human interest. Scientists try to control all the variables ...
...nt limits methods in the output of knowledge. When it comes to the natural sciences it is not a matter of how it is perceived. Ethical judgments in science allow it to evolve and produce more knowledge. It is correct that in some cases they do not allow particular methods to be used therefore prolonging the production of knowledge however the limitations can also impose positive effects in the knowledge produced, such as the development of other methods. Once again this cannot be solved by knowledge as the negative effect of ethical judgment in science contributes to producing a positive effect as well. The main issue with this statement however is the definition of ethical judgements, as there is no clear answer to what it implies. This is because it varies between people due to society they live in, their culture, religion, personal experience and personal opinion.
Science is the knowledge gained by a systematic study, knowledge which then becomes facts or principles. In the systematic study; the first step is observation, the second step hypothesis, the third step experimentation to test the hypothesis, and lastly the conclusion whether or not the hypothesis holds true. These steps have been ingrained into every student of science, as the basic pathway to scientific discovery. This pathway holds not decision as to good or evil intention of the experiment. Though, there are always repercussions of scientific experiments. They range from the most simplistic realizations of the difference between acid and water to the principle that Earth is not the center of the Universe. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein depicts this very difference in the story of Victor Frankenstein. A scientist who through performing his experiments creates a monster which wreaks havoc upon humanity. Frankenstein concentrating wholly upon discovery ignores the consequences of his actions.
Jakob Bronowski’s book, “Science and Human Values” argues that the scientific method of inquiry into reality provides a generally applicable foundation for moral judgement. Bronowski says, “in order to keep the study in a manageable field. I will continue to choose a society in which the principle of truth rules. Therefore the society which I will examine is that formed by scientists themselves: it is the body of scientists” (Bronowski 58). Bronowski makes it clear in his book that he is going to base his study on scientists. There are five steps in the scientific method of inquiry into reality. The first one being Observation, the second is Hypothesis, the third is Experiments, the fourth is Theory, and the fifth being Publishing.
Science is supposed, to tell the truth, but because humans are the ones performing the experiments sometimes there are flaws. For instance, Andre Wakefield in
Competition is often useful as a means of motivation. However, in the scientific world, competition has the potential to cause many scientists to forget their main purpose in research. The main goal of scientific research is to develop knowledge that will better society. When scientists work together to help each other reach a common goal, science is working as it should.
Dr. Michael Shermer is a Professor, Founder of skeptic magazine, and a distinguished and brilliant American science writer to say the least. In His book The Moral Arc: How Science Makes Us Better People he sets out to embark on the daunting task of convincing and informing the reader on sciences’ ability to drives the expansion of humanity and the growth of the moral sphere. Although such a broad and general topic could be hard to explain, Shermer does so in a way that is concise, easy to understand, and refreshing for the reader. This novel is riddled with scientific facts, data, and pictures to back up shermers claims about the history of science, humanity and how the two interact with one another.
In “The Nature and Necessity of Scientific Research” it says, “they are the source of the methods, problem-field, and standards of solution accepted by any mature scientific community at any given time.” These new discoveries can lead then to advancements and as a result can lead them to build a better society. Human beings will be able to reconstruct a better institutional framework which will bring them a prosperous and happy
...ieves that the knowledge is contributing to society. The scientist’s own drive to obtain knowledge versus the society’s need to obtain knowledge differ in the degree of limitations since the society’s moral judgments have more limiting factors on the methods to create the knowledge society demands rather than the artistic or scientific drive to obtain that knowledge.
This essay will show that ethical considerations do limit the production of knowledge in both art and natural sciences and that such kind of limitations are present to a higher extent in the natural sciences.
The more facts and information we have about the world around us that are scholarly and valid, the better we can make more rational and calm decisions. Therefore, science should guide our morality to some extent because it allows us to evaluate different kinds of ethical choices that are needed, and disregard those that are faulty. For example, say that we want our children to grow into healthy and mature adults. The best course of action to do so is to invest in research in nutrition. To see what foods, vitamins, and drinks stimulate and maximize a child’s growth and health overall. Such a method would require us to gather and expand the area of nutrition scientifically. However, this is where Harris fails to draw the line, especially with ethics. I believe that science cannot define ethics. At the core of Harris’ ideology, he simply assumes science can help assist and apply
Science is never simply observing and gathering facts. It is analyzing the facts to find repeating patterns, to then formulate theories and reasons. For example, in biology, to study the growth of plants in different environments would require experiments and tests to collect specific data to prove a hypothesis and determine the variables that affect the outcome. In sociology, to study the rising foreclosure rate in a neighborhood would require a researcher to observe the everyday life of members, conduct large-scale surveys, process...