Argumentative Essay Correction
The Threats and Benefits of Science
Science is a broad subject that is essential in the organizing of knowledge by providing explanations and predictions. The practicality of science has revolutionized the world since the scientific revolution era. This subject has numerous branches that are vital to human beings and inseparable from the analysis of life facts. Science is attributed to a vast range of technological changes that are crucial to human life because of the practical applications of the subject (Haack, 2011). However, some threats emanated from the study and application of scientific principles and pose a significant risk to human sustainability. Therefore, the analysis of the pros and cons of science is necessary to establish the precise implications of this subject. Although science has both advantages and disadvantages, its benefits in enhancing the solution of health problems and technology outweigh the threats.
Science facilitates the simplification of life. Scientific knowledge has been significant to the world by enhancing the inventions of different objects that are crucial to human beings. Scientific principles have been applied in the manufacturing industry and the generation of energy such as electricity. These products have provided immense assistance to human efforts which have simplified most of the life activities. Furthermore, life has become comfortable, safe and secure through the aid of scientific technologies (Von Schomberg, 2012). Many of the strains that people faced in the pre-scientific era obtained solution when the concepts of this subject were efficiently applied. For instance, the evolution of the textile industry depended on science and led to the production of a wide range of clothing that fits people from different geographic and climatic regions. Therefore, this evidence indicates that science has been beneficial in making life easier by increasing accessibility to particular necessary requirements of sustainability.
Science has revolutionized the communication system to make its fast, secure and cost-effective. The discoveries that have their origin in the scientific principles have a significant impact on the communication technologies. The invention of phones, televisions, radios and other communication equipment has transformed most of the life systems concerning efficient sending and receiving of messages. The modern world relies on communication for a wide range of applications including social and economic practices. Business activities are fostered and also the interpersonal interactions. Globalization has been a significant trend in the world increasing the accessibility of information. This aspect has influenced the exchange of ideas on a worldwide platform and increased the education of people on key societal issues that have social and economic significance. Therefore, science is evidently a crucial boost to the communication advancement that is responsible for the efficiency of the modern systems.
Scientific principles have facilitated medical advances that are critical to human life. Through science, research has been made regarding the treatment of diseases that were perceived to be incurable (Buntin et al., 2011). Efforts have been made towards the treatment of complications like cancer and malaria that were responsible for many deaths in the previous years. Consistency in medical research has enabled medics to manufacture different kinds of medicine that treat a variety of infirmities. Consequently, life expectancy has been boosted by the access to healthcare. Moreover, terminal diseases have been treated by the use of scientific technology that enables activities such as organ transplant and different types of therapies. The study of biological sciences has been significant because it enables people to understand their bodies properly and be able to practice healthy living. These factors have had extended benefits to the human health and life expectancy. Arguably, this is one of the primary benefits of science that is critical to human sustainability.
Science has transformed the transport systems in the world. ideally, scientific principles are vital in enhancing the development of engineering practices. It is evident that the transport systems in the current age applied extensive scientific knowledge together with the engineering technologies to establish the faster methods of traveling. This advancement has been propagated by consistency ion the invention of transport vessels with the modern features. All the products in this sector rely on the science-based knowledge of the universe. The construction of roads, airports and railway lines also use the engineering and scientific knowledge. Evidently, most of the current systems have been transformed by science to attain a high level of effectiveness. In addition, the prospects of the transport system still depend on the application of scientific knowledge. The forecasted advancement in the global transport network requires adequate scientific skills. Thus science is still a relevant venture. Therefore, the role of science in the transformation of the transport sector is evidently paramount.
Scientific principles aid the generation of practical solutions to major world problems. Numerous global problems often take place. They include the natural calamities which occur when they are not anticipated. The response of the people in such situation is crucial because it prevents massive loss of lives. Notably, scientific knowledge has been applied in various life-saving processes in the recent catastrophes. For instance, the earthquakes that have affected different parts of the world required effective measures that could ensure success in the rescue processes. Furthermore, detection measures have been developed that enable accurate forecasting of the natural calamities. This factor enables adequate preparation and also relocation of people from the areas that can be affected. Consequently, many lives have been saved by these strategies and also gives hope for future control of the disasters. Evidently, science offers numerous solutions to the outlined issues that affect the current society.
Science is also essential because its discoveries build and can lead to a better future understanding of life. Scientific knowledge evolves significantly and builds through the ages as the learned skills lead to other skills. For instance, biological discoveries have developed with the constant increase in knowledge such as the discovery of the DNA. This knowledge has provided the basis for new information that leads to the creation of organisms through cloning and other processes (Von Schomberg, 2012). Furthermore, scientific research is a fundamental discipline in the present education systems in the world. The subject promotes the intellectual satisfaction of the learners and thus crucial in the system, in addition, science leads the learners to productive careers and also enables them to have a concise understanding of the world and their bodies. This aspect has revolutionized the education system and enhanced comprehensive learning. Therefore, science is evidently a significant subject in learning and also in the applications in the society.
Conversely, science has several threats to human life. One of the dangers of science is that it can be misused to produce objects that are hazardous to human life (Irwin, 2014). Scientific knowledge has been used to manufacture weapons of mass destruction by different countries. The atomic bomb is one of the most dangerous weapons that can lead to massive destruction of human life. Its use in the second world war demonstrated the negative implications of the scientific knowledge. Moreover, different countries are investing in the manufacture of chemical weapons that raises questions about the future sustainability. The present situation implies that the emergence of world war will amount to the destruction that will leave the world in bad shape. Furthermore, the weapons have facilitated acts of terrorism around the world. Irresponsible handling of the generated arms is one of the leading causes of death. Therefore, science poses a significant threat to humanity when the irresponsible individuals or countries apply its fundamental principles.
Scientific inventions have led to environmental pollution. The sustainability of the world is threatened by the number of wastes that are exposed to the environment (Vörösmarty et al., 2010). The greenhouse effect is one of the consequences of this trend and exposes the world to the danger of global warming. The number of manufacturing plans is increasing consistently because of the increase in the applications of scientific knowledge. The factories emit hazardous gases that increase the concentration of carbon in the atmosphere and leads to the destruction of the ozone layer. Furthermore, the nuclear technology that is invading different parts of the world is increasing another risk to humanity. Leakages from the nuclear plants lead to genetic shortcomings that affect the lives of the people who are exposed to the radioactive waves for several generations. The negative impacts that can arise from the accidents in this sector have long time effects on human lives and thus poses a significant threat to human sustainability.
Science has influenced some inventions that have affected the lifestyles of people and lead to some diseases. This factor is critical basing on the high number of lifestyle diseases that affect people currently. The challenge emanates from the routine use of vehicles and other objects for movement and activities such that people do not engage in physical exercises. Consequently, many individuals have developed laziness and depend entirely on the created machinery. This dependence has negative implications in the instances when the machines fail to work. Therefore, scientific knowledge has had negative impacts on the lifestyle of people in the attempt of making life simpler. In addition, the scientific knowledge has led to the production of genetically modified organisms which are used as foodstuffs. Analysis of these substances has revealed a high probability of negative effects on human life. Therefore, the various attempts of science to solve human challenges have led to negative effects that endanger healthy living.
In conclusion, the pros and cons of science are evident, but the positive implications are more significant than the challenges. From the analysis, it is justifiable to conclude that science is a tool that can be used for productive reasons or harmful ones. The text portrays the fact that the advantages of scientific knowledge are necessary for human sustainability in several dimensions. Furthermore, the negative implications of science cannot occur unless there are irresponsible people who will misuse the knowledge. This argument implies that science can be present with the benefits only if all individuals cultivate a careful approach to its applications. It is the misuse of the knowledge and invented technology that threatens human existence, and thus there is a remedy for all the cons. Further, the challenges can be solved appropriately through other scientific knowledge such as the lifestyle diseases. Therefore, it is justified that science has immense benefits and manageable setbacks to human life.
References
Buntin, M. B., Burke, M. F., Hoaglin, M. C., & Blumenthal, D. (2011). The benefits of health information technology: a review of the recent literature shows predominantly positive results. Health affairs, 30(3), 464-471.
Haack, S. (2011). Defending science-within reason: Between scientism and cynicism. Prometheus Books.
Irwin, A. (2014). Risk, science and public communication. Routledge handbook of public communication of science and technology, 160-172.
Von Schomberg, R. (2012). Prospects for technology assessment in the 21st century: The quest for the “right” impacts of science and technology. An outlook towards a framework for responsible research and innovation. Technikfolgen abschätzen lehren, 371-388.
Vörösmarty, C. J., McIntyre, P. B., Gessner, M. O., Dudgeon, D., Prusevich, A., Green, P., ... & Davies, P. M. (2010). Global threats to human water security and river biodiversity. Nature, 467(7315), 555.