On the most basic level, there are two faces of science: the creation of theories and the application of theories. The work of Sir Isaac Newton and much of the early work of Niels Bohr dealt with the theoretical aspects of science. Their research embodies humanity’s efforts to understand the laws of nature, which would still exist even without the theorists that study them. Much of the work of Jean-Baptiste-Joseph Delambre, Pierre François André Mechain and John Harrison’s efforts were attempts at utilizing key concepts developed from theorists towards practical applications for the benefit of humanity. Their efforts would be irrelevant without humanity because they are tailored to the needs of the human race. The scientists that deal with theories will subsequently be defined as theorists while scientists that deal with the application of theories will be defined as applied scientists. Although the theoretical work of Bohr and Newton changed the way in which people view the laws of nature, it is the works of applied scientists such as Delambre, Mechain, and Harrison that changed the lives of people on a global scale. Due to the more revolutionary nature of applied science, it is imperative for teachers of all school systems to recognize and teach the effects of applied scientists when discussing science.
Newton shook the scientific foundations in his time with profound theoretical work. In the field of mathematics, he worked within the realm of the infinite and independently developed calculus, the quintessential language of science, economics, and engineering (Gleick 39). In Opticks, he discovered many essential properties of light such as the idea that light can act as a particle or that white light is a combination of multip...
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...k of the theorists, but it is important to note that the reverse is true as well. These theories would have little to no impact on human affairs without the work of applied scientists to make a practical application of them. While theories may change the way the world is seen by humanity, it is the application of these theories that truly revolutionizes human affairs. We find that science is often taught with praise of Newton and Bohr for their contributions to science, despite the fact that the works of applied scientists like Delambre, Mechain, Harrison and Thomson did far more to benefit mankind. If Newton’s immortal quote “If I had seen further, it is only by standing on the shoulder of giants” (Gleick 25) were altered for the sake of this paper, it would be: if theorists held an impact on humanity, it is only by standing on the shoulder of applied scientists.
Ball, Rouse. “Sir Isaac Newton.” A Short Account of the History of Mathematics. 4th ed. Print.
Without theories, scientists’ experiments would yield no significance to the world. Theories are the core of the scientific community; therefore figuring out how to determine which theory prevails amongst the rest is an imperative matter. Kuhn was one of the many bold scientists to attempt to bring forth an explanation for why one theory is accepted over another, as well as the process of how this occurs, known as the Scientific Revolution. Kuhn chooses to refer to a theory as a ‘paradigm’, which encompasses a wide range of definitions such as “a way of doing science in a specific field”, “claims about the world”, “methods of fathering/analyzing data”, “habits of scientific thought and action”, and “a way of seeing the world and interacting with it” (Smith, pg.76). However in this case, we’ll narrow paradigm to have a similar definition to that of a ‘theory’, which is a system of ideas used to explain something; it can also be deemed a model for the scientific community to follow. Kuhn’s explanation of a Scientific Revolution brings to light one major problem—the problem of incommensurability.
It was once stated, “No one knows what the future holds. That’s why its potential is infinite.” No one would have ever believed that space exploration would be possible until Sir Isaac Newton came along and conducted experiments while developing his profound theories. An English physicist and mathematician, Newton was an instrumental figure during the scientific revolution of the 17th century. Not only was Newton known for being the founder of differential and integral calculus, but he was also given credit for other contributions to mathematics including the generalized binomial theorem and his method of finding approximations successively closer to the root(s) of a function (Mastin, 2010). As the result of Newton’s three laws of motion and
Polkinghorne asserts that “scientists are motivated by the desire understand what is happening in the world.”(551, Polkinghorne). As a physicist himself, Polkinghorne understands the desire to understand the world, even shifting careers to become a priest to better his understanding. Science asks how things happen, and does not attempt to answer every question. Questions asking why go ignored, as if they are not necessary to fully understand the world and the life that lives here. Science alone
A nobel prize winning, architect of the atomic bomb, and well-known theoretical physicist, Professor Richard P. Feynman, at the 1955 autumn meeting of the National Academy of science, addresses the importance of science and its impact on society. Feynman contends, although some people may think that scientists don't take social problems into their consideration, every now and then they think about them. However he concedes that, because social problems are more difficult than the scientific ones, scientist don’t spend too much time resolving them (1). Furthermore he states that scientist must be held responsible for the decisions they make today to protect the future generation; also they have to do their best, to learn as much as possible,
Sir Isaac Newton was an English natural philosopher, physician, mathematician, astronomer, alchemist, and inventor. (Sir) Newton has created many works that have contributed to the progression of science and mathematics including Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, Newtonian Mechanics, and Opticks. Newton was the first to explain the formation of rainbows in a rain shower and the formation of light, he explained precisely gravity and motion, created the binomial theorem, and arguably created calculus. (Sir) Despite his early obstacles, Sir Isaac Newton has laid the groundwork for modern science, mathematics, physics religious philosophy.
Science has played a significant role in the development of society. Other world views, such as Hum...
The following page focuses on the Revolution in Physics, specifically the scientific works of Max Planck, Albert Einstein, and Werner Heisenberg, all of which took place in the early twentieth century. In this page I will attempt to answer the following question, "How did the Revolution in Physics transform the way that humans viewed themselves and nature from 1715 to the present day?" To effectively answer this question I will cover three main points. I will start off by briefly describing the scientific beliefs that dominated European society in the years between 1715 and the Revolution in Physics. Next, I am going to explain the epoch making works of Max Planck, Albert Einstein, and Werner Heisenberg that were highly responsible for initiating this new era of scientific thinking. Lastly, I will focus in on how humans viewed themselves and nature differently after the Revolution in Physics.
"We often think of science as something inescapably linked to progress, and of progress as continually marching forward. We assume that there is something inevitable about the increase of knowledge and the benefits this knowledge brings" (Irvine & Russell). Provide humanity with wisdom and speculative enjoyment. This enjoyment of the public is through reading, learning and thinking. But scientists are met with the real research work.
Newton, Isaac. The Correspondence of Isaac Newton. Vol. 7, 1718-1727. Edited by A. Rupert Hall and Laura Tilling. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press for the Royal Society, 1977.
Ever wonder how the world would be today only if our great researchers implemented a different attitude towards their experiments? It is possible that the results would remain same. However, some argue that the consequences may be altered. Nonetheless, this does not make the earlier learned knowledge valued less or false, just supplementary. Abraham Maslow’s theory challenges nearly all ways of knowing, suggesting that if we limit our thinking, the outcomes remain homogenous, therefore, limiting the amount of knowledge we acquire. Dilemmas are mentioned in order to repudiate from the opinions that are profoundly accepted in the society. If Newton had eaten that apple, instead of using it as a tool to apply the theory of attraction, he may not have exposed gravity. Because he had more tools than a mere hammer and he was sagacious enough to expand his philosophy beyond hunger, he made such an innovation. It is widely claimed that inventions are accidental. In fact, all the chemical elements in the famous periodic table are a result of different tactics towards scientist’s research. As ToK teaches us that there is no possible end to a situation for it is influenced by the perceptive skills of the arguers. There is never a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ or the ‘ultimate answer’ in the conflict, but the eminence of rationalization is what poises the deliberation. This suggestion explains that there is always that one more way to approach the conclusion. Thus, pursuit of knowledge habitually requires dissimilar ways of knowing for it lengthens the verdict.
Public understanding of science is considered to be one of the most important issues facing educators in today’s technological world. It is see...
During the seventeenth century, the modern science of physics started to emerge and become a widespread tool used around the world. Many prominent people contributed to the build up of this fascinating field and managed to generally define it as the science of matter and energy and their interactions. However, as we know, physics is much more than that. It explains the world around us in every form imaginable. The study of physics is a fundamental science that helps the advancing knowledge of the natural world, technology and aids in the other sciences and in our economy. Without the field of physics, the world today would be a complete mystery, everything would be different because of the significance physics has on our life as individuals and as a society.
Humbled at last by his enemies, the father of modern science wasn’t wholly subdued. His discoveries impacted the world as we see it. Without his sacrifice and motive to fight for what he believed in, we wouldn’t be as advanced as we are today in modern science. Although society advanced by increased knowledge, having more scientific answers, and increased new developments because of the freedom to deviate from established theories, there were some negative effects. Society had lost their innocence and belief in their traditional faith. Galileo’s battle against the Church was worthwhile for generations to come. Without his inventions, theories, or introduction to the concept of theory experimenting, the world of modern science wouldn’t exist as we know it today.
Our basic objective is to examine the scientific developments through history and how they affect human life and society. To meet that objective we will first develop tools to analyze the relationship between science and the increasingly complex decisions we have to make regarding the way we apply science for human welfare.