THE ROLE OF MODERN SCIENCE IN SOCIETY

To begin with, I would like all of you to think about your own definition
of science. What is science anyway? What is its impact on mankind? We
all asked these questions, even if for once, for sure. As Alexander Herzen said,
“Science is power, it reveals the relations among things, their laws and their interactions.”
But how strong is modern science? And
what are its characteristics? Have you ever thought that you are here in
this classroom thanks to this important domain? For those who believe so, congratulations
you are correct, and for those who whoever thinks otherwise, I am here to make clear
your way of think.
Today we can say that science is embedded in modern society,
which plays a very important role in many sectors and domains of people's lives. Its level
of development is one of the main indicators of the growth of society and is also an
indicator of the state's modern development and policies. Briefly, all this to say that about
99.9% of what is found around a person is conquest of science.
Modern science has incredible capabilities. In
1904, Nikola Tesla stated that one day one person would be able to send ideas and thoughts to
the other side of the world in fractions of seconds, and that after a century it became
possible. Information and communication have reached such a high level that a person can
find what he or she wants on the Internet, something that virtually everyone has in their
homes, as well as at least a computer or a smartphone. These networks and devices have
become so common that a person easily forgets the dangers associated with their use. As
an example, let's look at computers, which are the source of
various types of radiation and harmful electrical fields, since the cathode ray tube
that monitors them creates ionizing radiation, just like any
other electrical device. However, science at this stage is constantly
trying to solve these problems by creating new branches within the framework of the scientific
community.
Now I will talk a little about one of these new branches to which I have a particular
interest and that has been revolutionizing more and more, which name is
ergonomics. This science studies the behavior and physical-psycho-motor changes of
a person in interaction with a computer and other machines. It is also involved in a
comprehensive study of human work and therefore joins many scientific
subjects, like physiology, occupational health, psychology,
microbiology, among others. Scientists in the field are constantly looking
for ways to reduce the burden on the human body associated with working with a computer,
as well as creating a "perfect and safe" technology.
Thanks to the development of medicine, biology, genetics, and embryology,
humankind was able to find the "antidote" for many diseases, something that
our ancestors never imagined that would be possible, such as transplanting new human organs
and replacing them by those that were in poor condition.
Another great example is Chemistry and Physics, since they are, among all sciences, the most
united, complex and innovative. These sciences are in constant development, dividing
themselves in two directions, the direction of fundamental sciences (where it is
innovated creating and studying the theoretical foundations of the physical-chemical
knowledge) and the direction of applied science (where it focuses on the resolution of
practical problems of use in various areas of people's lives).
 In the 21st century, mankind has taken up almost all the space on
the globe. We live in different countries, in different latitudes, in different places and,
consequently, each country has its peculiarities in what concerns the natural conditions
and climate. Many of these are constantly in danger due to natural disasters. And
to make matters worse, a limited nature of natural resources is becoming more and
more a reality.
Therefore, sciences such as cartography, geology and soil science are of particular importance
because they serve to alert society against all kinds of disasters, to find alternative sources
of energy and minerals, things that humanity needs every day.
In modern times, the well-being of the countries depends directly on the state of
their science. In my point of view, only countries that devote serious attention to scientific
research successfully dominate the latest high-tech engagements, provide more and better
financial, informational, industrial, and intellectual means powerful enough to lead the
modern political and economic race and occupy positions on the world stage.
Let us focus now on space and time with the greatest evolution in
the field of science and technology: the twentieth century! Without any exaggeration, it can
be said that in this space of 100 years there were more scientific discoveries
and studies of renown than at any other time in the history of mankind. The contribution
science made in the twentieth century to the development of our society is enormous. But if
we add up the funds that mankind had spent on basic scientific research throughout
its history, the amount will be unmatched by any budget of any developed country. The United
States of America, for example, is constantly losing capital on the invoice of excessively used
scientific funds, that is, without any profitable foundation, which could
be used to combat certain injustices in the country, among other problems that arise in each
presidential term.
The latest scientific developments, in addition to undoubted benefits, pose
a dangerous potential, generating a huge amount
of energy, thermowell stations that emit millions of tons of ash and gases into
the atmosphere that pollute the environment and destroy the ozone layer, nuclear plants
and companies that use radioactive materials and
which can have disastrous consequences, such as the Chernobyl disaster, genetically modified
products, which are increasingly marketed in stores, and which
in principle can be dangerous for humans, among others. These are problems such
as these that modern science also tries to solve, and that integrating technology and scientific
advances in natural processes harmoniously is one of the urgent tasks of scientists of the field,
since only with these actions we can guarantee not only our survival, but a worthy
life for future generations.
Science is generally regarded as a highly specialized activity for the production of
objective knowledge about the world, including the person himself, but is it ethical
to conduct scientific research, even if extremely interesting, to become dangerous to
the world's population?
Of course, this domain is one of the most important forms of culture and society and
its development is the most important factor in the renewal of
all spheres of human activity. Modern science forms the worldview of a person,
being closely linked to technical progress, creating predictions for the development of society,
developing programs and solving problems that humanity faces today and that
may face for years. In short, the science of the past has brought not only the foundations for
all what we know, including things themselves, but also has consequences of diversified
degrees, and modern science confines itself
to correcting and confronting these same misconceptions, at the same time as innovates
and builds a new and alternative community, what we now call the future.