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The impact and successfulness of scientific discoveries and scientific work
The growing impact of science on the life of the modern society contributes to the ongoing progress of science because people are interested in scientific discoveries which facilitate and improve their life open larger opportunities for socioeconomic development as well as for the enlargement of the eyesight of people in regard to the surrounding universe. At the same time, the development of science is accompanies by significant difficulties because the scientific progress is not proportional. Instead, it is possible to speak about scientific leaps or breakthroughs which contribute to the faster development of science at certain periods and consistent slow-downs at other periods. For instance, in the Middle Ages science was in decline, while religious views prevailed. In contrast, today science has made a tremendous progress and within last century science has changed the life of people dramatically. In fact, within the last century the mankind has made a more significant progress than it has made within the previous millennium.
In such a context, the question concerning the development of the modern science arises. In this respect, it is possible to refer to the concept of “normal science” developed by Kuhn. In fact, the researcher argues that science develops steadily but some scientific discoveries are more successful and approved by the public than others. Kuhn develops the idea that the scientific success is grounded on the successful implementation of discoveries, their practical aspects (Kuhn, 22). What is meant here is the fact that the practical applicability of scientific discoveries makes them successful or leads to their failure. If people can use scientific discoveries in their life on the regular basis they do recognize such discoveries as genius and worthy of public approval and respect. On the other hand, there may be discoveries which are extremely significant for the mankind but average people do not use them in their life and they have a vague idea of such discoveries. As a result, scientists, who have made such discoveries, are not considered to be successful.
The successfulness of scientific discoveries and their perception by people is very important because they shape the image of science and, therefore, define its role in the life of people. At this point, it is possible to speak about the religious effect of science. What is meant here is the fact that successful scientific discoveries have become a sort of miracles in religions. They play practically the same role in the perception of science by the public as miracles did in the perception of religion by the public. People observe the positive impact of scientific discoveries on their life and start believing in science as a new, powerful religion, which is almighty. In fact, people do not even need to understand science and they actually prefer to use scientific discoveries instead of understanding them.
Scientific knowledge and difficulties of its perception
At the same time, some researchers (Angier, 22) argue that the scientific knowledge is difficult to perceive. Today, science grows more and more complicated and an average individual cannot always understand all the nuances of various phenomena, which are explicable scientifically. Moreover, people use modern technologies without even thinking of how they actually work. In such a way, people become a kind of worshipers, who take scientific discoveries for granted without thinking of their origin and essence. Obviously, the blind worshipping of science through using its benefits leads to the transformation of science in a sort of religion.
In this respect, it is possible to refer to Davies, who stands on the ground that science has its own faith-based belief system (Davies, 1). It proves beyond a doubt that without faith in science, people would hardly be able to develop their scientific researches because doubts slow down the implementation of innovations. For instance, in the past researchers (Williams, 185) were afraid of the invention of television. They warned that television will change the life of people dramatically and it will lead to the degradation of people. Today the same ideas emerge in regard to computers, ITs and development of internet. Nevertheless, people do not think over possible effects of using scientific discoveries and technological innovations, they simply use them. In such a way, as Davies argued, people do not need to understand science but they just have some faith in science for they believe that scientific discoveries are good for them because they facilitate their life, make their life easier and better, etc.
At the same time, such an attitude to science contributes to the growing popularity of science but, on the other hand, it deprives science of its critical basis because scientific discoveries are not always good, whereas, in some cases, they may be evil. At any rate many scientific discoveries are controversial. For instance, the use of nuclear power may have dubious purpose – the generation of energy and the military use. Nevertheless, people do not think about it when they switch on their computers and other equipment they use in their regular life.
The subjectivity of the scientific knowledge
The subjectivity of the modern science and scientific science is obvious. In this respect, it is possible to refer to Snow, who develops the argument that the Western civilization’s view prevails in the study of history as science and, what is more, the Western philosophy prevails in the modern science (Snow, 49-50). The domination of the Western civilization’s view leads to the inadequate and subjective interpretation of scientific facts. This subjectivity is particularly obvious in the history as a science. Scientists attempt to analyze the historical development of different civilizations that existed in different regions of the world and in different times from the western point of view. They use their cultural background and extrapolate their knowledge and philosophy on civilizations that have already vanished. However, this way does not lead to the understanding of the true life of ancient civilizations, for instance. Scientists should be objective and evaluate critically scientific facts. However, scientists rather become a sort of prophets, who attempt to persuade the public in the righteousness of their views, rejecting arguments of their opponents. At this point, science uses again methods which are normally attributed to religion that makes it possible to speak about the modern science as a form of religion.
Conclusion
Thus, taking into account all above mentioned, it is important to lay emphasis on the fact that science has made a tremendous progress. Today science holds the dominant position over religion. At the same time, science is not absolutely objective. In stark contrast, it tends to subjectivity. Moreover, the modern science becomes a form of religion because people believe in science blindly without even attempting to understand it.

 

 

 

 
Works Cited
Angier, N. The Canon. New York: A Mariner Book, 2007.
Bacon, F. The New Organon. New York: Penguin Classics, 2006.
Davies, P. “Taking Science on Faith.” New York Times, Nov. 24, 2007.
Kuhn. The Route to Normal Science. New York: Random House, 2008.
Snow, C.P. The Two Cultures. Cambridge University Press, 1959.
Williams, G. The Modern Science. New York: Routledge, 2008.



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