Posted: Mar 10, 2018 1:26 am
Blackadder wrote:jamest wrote:'Humanity' arose and flourished before science, unless you want to argue that every innovative thought is scientific progress, but that would be daft. Even our conception of 'God' has evolved in spite of science. I mean, monotheism was pretty much global long before science turned up. And though science does undermine certain tenets of certain monotheistic beliefs, it does not (and cannot ever) wholly undermine the potential for 'a God'. It only undermines silly ideas about God.
Notwithstanding questions pertaining to our ontology, one could cite many examples questioning the 'good' of science. Global warming, nuclear catastrophe, weakened immune systems, etc. etc.. No doubt that there are benefits, such as being able to phone yer mum when you're on holiday, and having a microwave so you get home from work and can get to the pub in short order. But I'm genuinely left wondering how shallow and short-sighted these 'qualities' are in the grand scheme of things, even if that scheme ponders naught but the longevity of our species.
Though the OP questions the expense of science, what he really means to ask is whether the expense is (or has been) justified. Sat in my home, right now, with the heating on and with a computer enabling me to express my opinion, I'd say yes. But then, how selfish and short-sighted would that conclusion be?
Material comforts or labour saving conveniences may seem trivial to you, and perhaps they are. But ask the mother of a child whose life has been saved by modern medicine and the science behind it may not seem so trivial.
Material comforts/etc. are not to be scoffed at, but the bottom-line still is whether science is short-sighted since it appears solely to appeal to the selfish.
We're all sat here in fear. Fear of destroying the planet/ourselves precisely because of scientific advancements. I mean, our last remaining hope (seemingly) is that science can get us to Mars before we do that. And then what, if we succeed? That our scientists will unveil a way of escaping Mars before we destroy that planet?
Seriously, people, wake the fuck up. Science is directly responsible for us needing to consider the questions posed previous. Deal with that in a manner which transcends your own personal comforts, before it's too late.