• Question: Why do you think science is essential to the development of modern society?

    Asked by Jemma to Craig, Devon, Marta, Natalie, Nicholas on 10 Mar 2017.
    • Photo: Marta Varela

      Marta Varela answered on 10 Mar 2017:

      Hi Jemma.

      Definitely! It underpins modern technology and thus modern economy and we are constantly being bombarded with new technological developments that it enables.

      Science is built upon a way of looking at and interpreting the world called the scientific method. It tells you to conduct experiments and use logical reasoning to reach conclusions. Guesswork and random choices are not allowed. This kind of thinking now permeates a lot of thinking in other non-scientific areas. It has, for example, given a definite negative answer as to whether discrimination is acceptable or not. People are using the same ideas now to look, for example, at animal rights.

    • Photo: Natalie Doig

      Natalie Doig answered on 14 Mar 2017:

      Science is absolutely essential for everything in my opinion.
      All development is thanks to science in some form or another. Also the fact that we live long enough to be able to invent new stuff is thanks to science – life expectancy was way way shorter before vaccines and antibiotics.

    • Photo: Nicholas Younger

      Nicholas Younger answered on 14 Mar 2017:

      Hey!

      I think that both science and arts are essential to the development of modern society. The Sciences help us understand the physical world around us and the world within us – think about people with Autism or Down’s Syndrome, 50-100 years ago these people would be regarded as idiots and ignored by society or abused and mistreated, but now we understand that this is a brain development issue and a genetic issue and because of science, society now recognises these people as suffering from a medical problem that they cannot help, and they are treated with the help and respect they deserve.

      The Arts help us understand each other and different cultures, they help us face difficult social questions and express ourselves in meaningful ways.

      I think that both the Arts and Sciences are equally needed and important for a working society, and I think that having a career in either is honourable and important. People that think that science is more important or “harder” than Art don’t understand how important Art is!

    • Photo: Craig O'Hare

      Craig O'Hare answered on 14 Mar 2017:

      Science is important as scientific research can lead to new technologies and therapies for diseases. However, like Nicholas says, to say science is THE most important thing I think is unfair, the arts and humanities have equally important cultural benefits.

      I really sympathise with school students. Even deciding what A levels to do or to go to onto university makes you feel like you should be putting yourself into a box. The reality is that things aren’t as black and white after school. There are people who work in art galleries explaining pieces that use science to convey artistic concepts, or scientists who work for charities for example.

Comments