Science for the benefit of mankind
SCIENCE FOR THE BENEFIT OF MANKIND
Science has conferred immense benefits on humanity. It has brought innumerable conveniences and gadgets that have eliminated drudgery and lightened the workload. It has brought countries and peoples together by shortening distances, thus enhancing mobility. It has thrown a flood of light on the mysteries of universe. It has led to large scale production of goods, promoted education in various ways, provided wonderful treatment of diseases through inventions, thus prolonging tenure of life. In numerous ways, it is the moving spirit of modern society.
But the basic question is, whether science has made the life happier. The exponents of science argue that science has certainly made life less burdensome. Whether these conveniences and latest inventions have ensured happiness to people is quite another matter. Are individuals in advanced or backward countries now happier than their ancestors were in preceding centuries?
Today’s individual is undeniably more sophisticated. He has wider knowledge of men and affairs of their own country and universe. Does wide knowledge and better awareness make us happy and full of joy?
Science encourages curiosity about everything; it prompts enquiry and questions all the dogmas and traditional beliefs. The Scientist is an analyst. It is distinctly creative and involves nature and its manifold activities and manifestations for the benefit of man. Science does not encourage satisfaction and contentment.
Although science has provided us a lot of amenities but it has definitely not encouraged feelings of compassion, sympathy and charity.
Science has actually brought more benefits to men of means – those who have immense resources and can afford to pay foe the conveniences and luxuries. The poor masses are benefited partially through the availability of electricity, modern methods of entertainment. But genuine happiness is quite another matter.
Science should always be used as a means of creation, of constructive activity and of amenities that bring solace to human soul. Instead, it tends to ruin what many generations have built after decades of earnest labour. Apart from the horrible effects of atomic weapons of various kinds, there is the grave danger of containment of large areas of food and crops, which had to be destroyed to save human beings and cattle.
The argument that science does not promote human happiness well stands the test of close scrutiny. But there is no reason why the real spirit of science, of scientific enquiry and of the development of scientific spirit should be discouraged.
The pity is that, politicians and statesman seek to attain glory and power through military victories not through nation building activities that would ensure human happiness. Science and technology are ultimately neutral factors in human affairs, equally capable of being utilized for good or evil. If humanity learns to make sensible use of science and all that it has brought us, there would be happiness all around.
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