THE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF SCIENTISTS Bertrand Russell Science, ever since it early existed, has had important sound under ones skin in matters that lie outside the purview of pure science. hands of science have differed as to their responsibility for such effects. well have said that the function of the scientist in society is to shot companionship, and that he need non concern himself with the use to which this knowledge is put. I do not think that this view is tenable, particularly in our age. The scientist is also a citizen; and citizens who have any special(a) scientific coach have a macrocosm duty to see, as furthest as they can, that their skill is utilized in unity with the creation interest. Historically, the functions of the scientist in public life have loosely been recognized. The august Society was founded by Charles II as an antidote to zealotry which had plunged England into a long period of civil strife. The scientists of that time did not hesitate to speak out on public issues, such as religious toleration and the folly of prosecutions for witchcraft. unless although science has, in divers(a) ways at various times, favored what may be called a humanitarian outlook, it has from the first had an intimate and sinister affiliation with war.
Archimedes sold his skill to the tyrant of Syracuse for use against the Romans; da Vinci secured a salary from the Duke of Milan for his skill in the art of fort; and Galileo got employment under the imposing Duke of Tuscany because he could calculate the trajectories of projectiles. In the French Revolution the scientists who were not guillotined were! set to making pertly explosives, but Lavoisier was not spared, because he was only discovering hydrogen which, in those days, was not a tool of war. There have been just about honorable exceptions to the subservience of scientists to warmongers. During the Crimean fight the British government consulted Faraday as to the feasibility of attack by poisonous gases. Faraday replied that it was entirely...If you want to get a full essay, social club it on our website: BestEssayCheap.com
If you want to get a full essay, visit our page: cheap essay
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.