Is Science a boon or a curse?

Is Science a boon or a curse?

We are living in the 21^st century, the age of science and technology. Several inventions and discoveries have changed the face of the earth. Today, the world has become a fairyland which wasn’t imaged by our ancestors. If it was possible for them to come back, he/she wouldn’t be able to identify it.

Science has benefitted mankind in a number of ways by its outstanding progress. Currently, as well, a lot of researches are being carried out in a rapid manner. The transformation of our earth will carry out in the coming future too.

In each and every step of our life, science proves us to be a boon. It has made our world a global village. Due to the advancement in communication, now we are able to communicate with our friends and family members who are far away from us within a second. Development of telephones and mobiles have contributed a lot for easy and reliable communication. This is possible only by the help of science. Not only this much, transportation facilities have helped us to move from one place to another in less time.  

Because of science, a lot of fatal diseases are being cured and eradicated. People who used to die due to simple diseases are now cured by medicines. Today, very tough surgeries like heart surgery, kidney transplantation etc. are carried out that has given new life to people. The maternity services have been developed in such a way that newly born babies and mothers survive without any complexities in child delivery. Due to the access of family planning and skilled birth attendance, the global maternal ratio has fallen from 380 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 210 deals per 100,000 live births in 2013 [1].

Besides this, new varieties of seeds and fertilizers are developed due to different scientific researches [2]. Science has brought a drastic change in the agriculture sector. In the past, it took a long time to plough field but now tractors can perform it in a few hours. Farmers have learned new ways of production only by the help of scientific researches.

Science has made contributions even in our everyday life. It has made our life comfortable by helping us to do our task in a short time. We can prepare food using rice-cooker and heat up in microwave oven within a few minutes which are scientific tools. Foods can be preserved for a long period of time using refrigerators. Clothes can be washed and dried in no time with the use of washing machines. Electricity is a crucial invention of science that has helped us in a number of ways.

Moreover, it has brought newness in academic fields as well. Students are able to use several types of equipment in their learning process. For example, very tough calculations can be done using calculators in a single second. Computers help us to store data, help students to learn various things and add interest in learning.

By the help of science, industrial and commercial fields are also changing their phase. Due to the development of several machines, the challenging task can be performed within a few seconds. A large number of works can be done at the same time very effectively. For example, a thousand packets of potato chips can be packed by preparing in a few minutes.

Science has given artificial legs to lame and made life heavenly for them. It has challenged social norms and values too. Scientific knowledge has helped people to forget superstition and move ahead in life. For example, shamanism which was used by our ancestors is not prevalent due to the scientific approach and knowledge. Even the people of remote areas have left following shamans and started to believe upon scientific facts [3].

Not only this much, but science has also proved a lot of challenging aspects which was thought to be impossible in past. Men went to space and stepped on the moon [4]. This is one of the greatest victories which was possible only due to scientific discoveries.

We are intensely connected to science. The bond between science and human is just inseparable like two sides of the same coin. Today, childless parents can bear children by cloning. Test tube baby is also due to the invention of science.

Initially, people used to labour hard and gain less profit. But now, due to several innovations, with less effort high profit is gained. It has multiplied human efficiency and effort as well. Life is completely changed. A highly stressful life is replaced by a very comfortable way of living. When we feel hot, we can easily cool our body using a fan. In the chilling cold, the heater can be the source of warming our body. Apart from these things, in every sector, science has brought a drastic change.

Our earth has been a heavenly planet. Because of several inventions, it is difficult to identify the earth due to its change in the surrounding. Everywhere, we can see tall buildings, markets decorated like brides with the help of technology. There used to be a gap between developed and developing nations. But now, the gap has been lessened by science and discoveries.

Even though science is a boon, it also possesses some evil aspects that make it a curse. People today have become lazy. They have become dependent on scientific tools. The creativity of the human mind is gradually declining by the use of calculators and computers, etc. for study.

Technology has made people like a parasite. People have forgotten their values. Humanity and emotions are absent in today’s people. People are competing with each other. Many scientific discoveries and researchers have deviated towards the wrong track. A large amount of money is wasted for dangerous researchers.

Men are responsible for turning the sciences into a curse instead of a blessing. Unplanned industrialization and urbanization have caused numerous problems. Pollution is increasing in a rapid way due to the use of various tools.

Human values have been lost in shadow and man has become more sensual, cruel, selfish and destructive. People are using scientific tools and they themselves are becoming physically unfit and mentally retarded due to no exercises.

Science has given us dangerous weapons and atomic bombs, missiles, etc. which are very dangerous. During the second world war, a lot of people were killed. The impact is still there in Hiroshima and Nagasaki [5]. Even though luxurious life is given to us, it has caused a waste of money. The invention of TV and other entertainment means have made students passive in the study that highly affects their academic part.

In the name of study and research, several kinds of false deeds are performed that has caused numerous crimes. Moreover, it has increased the unemployment problem as well.

To sum up, there might be a few disadvantages of scientific inventions but there are a lot of advantages too. Science has helped us in every field by its outstanding and wonderful discoveries. Science has been a good friend of humans. It is a blessing for us.

References:

[1] "Maternal health". www.unfpa.org. Retrieved 2018-04-22.

[2] Heinrich W. Scherer. "Fertilizers" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. 2000, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim.doi:10.1002/14356007.a10_323.pub3

[3] Wilson, Edward O. 1998. Consilience: the unity of knowledge. New York: Vintage Books, 49–71. ISBN 0-679-45077-7

[4] NASA Apollo 11 40th anniversary.

[5] "BBC - Tyne - Roots - Non-Jewish Holocaust Victims : The 5,000,000 others". 

www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 27 August 2017.