Impact of science on Man

Science is a system of acquiring knowledge based on scientific method and research. Science is also a continuing effort to discover and increase human knowledge and understanding. Modern science is relatively new having it's origin about 350 years ago. In spite of its recent origin, it has made very rapid progress and completely transformed outwardly the manner of our living. But before that Science was not an organized branch and neither were there any scientists. Instead, there were primitive men who were less evolved and for whom the earth was a big puzzle. He did not dare to venture to places unknown to him to avoid any mishap. The sun, the moon, and the stars amazed him. These heavenly bodies were held in great reverence. He was helpless and at the mercy of nature. Hence, he worshipped its forces. But his inquisitive nature made him do some primitive research. And the invention of the wheel and the discovery of fire were his achievements. This initiation into the scientific arena was a small step for man but a giant leap for mankind.

It is because of the scientific knowledge accumulated over the last three centuries, and its application in the form of technology that our lives have changed outwardly. It didn't change as much in thousands of years as it has changed since the last one hundred years or so. The impact of science on society is very visible. Progress in agriculture, medicine and healthcare, telecommunications, transportation, computerization and so on, is part of our daily living now. The goals that had not been generally discussed, largely for lack of intelligent understanding of the process and its possibilities are very much a reality now. Humans have now the power to blunt the hardships of existence, from pain and disability and the prolongation of individual life. Scientific advances have sharpened our perception of future prospects. From time to time we also see a major scientific breakthrough, as the advancements in understanding the genetic code.

The advent of science has altered the life of man. He has been able to venture deep in seas and discovered new lands. Earth's round shape, it's revolution around the Sun, laws of gravitation, electricity, the invention of the telephone, telex etc. have made him the new master of the earth. The same earth, from whose power he was afraid. These advancements have shrunk the world and man is well-connected with far off places. Aeroplanes, trains, cars, buses, and two-wheelers have become his modes of transportation. These provided him comfort and recreation. Television, radio, air-conditioner, geyser, oven, and room-heater provided for his needs.

The successive discoveries and inventions in the fields of medicine, agriculture, communication etc. have given the conveniences, comforts, and power to humans but in no part of the world are human beings happy, at peace with themselves, living without violence. The aim of developments in science was to usher in an era of peace and prosperity. But on the contrary, it has lead to greater violence, sorrow, tension, new diseases, environmental crisis, war to name a few. On the one hand, Science has been a boon to mankind and on the other, it has also proved to be a bane. Moral values are being ignored, the social fabric of the society is breaking up and the environment is in crisis. The same nature which gave him such valuable resources is now being abused and ignored. In his pursuit of excellence, the man ignored his foresight.

Positive Effects of Science on Human

• Prolonging life and eliminating various deadly diseases.
• Advancements in space research, artificial satellites have promoted communications. These satellites have helped in broadcasting, weather forecasting etc. 
• The invention of mobile phones, internet, fax, and e-mail has not only further enhanced communication but it also has economically benefited us. Technological changes such as the Bluetooth wireless service have revolutionized communication.
• Wireless technology has made synchronized exchange possible and has lead to advanced office efficiency.
• Agriculture with improved methods of irrigation, better quality seeds, use of fertilizers, hybrid seeds and drought-resistant seeds, new tools and implements, tractors, and harvesters have also been revolutionized.
• Atomic energy when harnessed by man, for peaceful purposes, yields good results. Isotopes of some radioactive materials are used to cure diseases. Atomic energy is used to run reactors to produce electricity. It has proved to be a viable alternative to the fossil fuels. 
• Carbon-14 is used by archaeologists to find the exact age of an organic fossil.
• It has led to a low mortality rate and has increased life expectancy. Smallpox, polio, plague, and cholera have been almost eradicated from the face of the earth. 
• The medical field has also advanced with the ability to operate upon the human body for removal of cancer and an open-heart surgery can be conducted. The discoveries of antibiotics and drugs have also reduced the sufferings of mankind.

Negative Effects of Science on Human

• Indiscriminate industrialization and urbanization have resulted in alarming levels of pollution. Rivers are choked with sewage, industrial wastes etc.
• Various modes of transport have contributed to the further deterioration of the planet and now pose a threat to the very existence of the flora and fauna.
• The destructive potential of atomic energy was witnessed in August 1945, when the United States dropped atom bombs in the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Those who survived the nuclear bombing are still suffering from its aftermath. 
• Weapons which are more sophisticated and destructive than their earlier versions have been created. 
• The man has also started stockpiling biological and chemical weapons. Biosciences, meant for the betterment of mankind are now used to make disease germs which can be used in the battlefield. 
• Majority of all the scientific research being done currently is directly or indirectly meant for developing weapons and supported by the Defence Ministry in every nation.
• There is a lot of Technological Evolution but there is nil or minimal Psychological Evolution of the society. Hatred, casteism, division on basis of nationality, linguistic, religious and other groups still continues to be a malice.

Science-Boon or Bane
With all his scientific discoveries and technologies, man has proved his superiority over the other beings in nature. His thoughtless acts have caused irreparable damage to his own self as well as to the environment. Science made man civilized but in the process, he has abused and ignored nature. Even though with genetic engineering we might develop new power but will it be used for the benefit of mankind and for the earth at large. There is a great need to use science scrupulously to have a positive impact. It is very important to watch your next step, but before you take the next step, make sure that you have a long vision, which gives the direction to that step. It's time that we should use science with a good conscience and prudence. Live and Let Live should be the new mantra of life. We need to distinguish between science and technology. Science is the quest for the truth about Nature. Its aim is not to produce technology but to understand how Nature works and discover the tremendous order and intelligence operating around us. The problems exist because of lack of understanding of life and the psychologically primitive state in which we find ourselves.

Our Universe is not just an object it is a very intelligent force. Our body is a perfect example of order, a million activities occur with a perfect order within our body. And that also without any conscious voluntary effort on our part, but we have not discovered order in our consciousness, which is a virtue, peace of mind, love, happiness, compassion, freedom from conflict, non-violence. There is disorder in our consciousness. All the successful scientific quest have been successful because the order already exists in the universe. Though Newton discovered gravitation it was always there even a million years before. The laws of Nature are independent of the scientist. Technology is a by-product of science, but science itself is the quest for the truth about Nature. History is witness to the fact that man has used it and is still using it primarily for destruction rather than for construction, bringing our planet and our lives to a level of danger which never existed before. A deeper understanding of life and of ourselves is the need of the hour. Scientific knowledge is supposed to be value-neutral. And humanity needs to discover what is called the scientific spirit as the spirit is always more important than the technique, the knowledge or the method for any activity.