Science: It’s History, Our Story

I think it was a popular philosopher or a rock band member who said that you won’t know where you’re going until you know where you’ve been.

History is truly an integral part of virtually anything that exists and a body of knowledge as systematic as Science definitely cannot do without it. People since the dawn of civilization have been interested in the field of Science perhaps since the day they’ve learned to ask, “Why?”.

And why not? Science assists us, guides us, sometimes even haunts us every single day, every single moment of our life. It governs the air we breathe, the earth we tread on and even the places and elements no mortal has ever laid his eyes on.

Studying the history of Science is definitely a daunting feat because the history of Science is the history of a continuous process of learning --- a process that has begun since the beginning of time itself. People need to know the history of Science so that they won’t be clueless on where Science and Techology are taking us right now. We learn a lot from the past, and we can use these learnings to keep us on the right track. The history of Science would tell us that accomplishments such as the discovery of the atomic bomb and TNT brought Nobel Prizes to the discoverer but are used as destructive forces today. They were meant to help mankind. Therefore, we should learn that a lot of inventions and discoveries may pose danger in the future if used improperly. But this should not hinder the advancements of Science. Rather, we should be working double time to ensure that advancements in Science are used for the betterment of mankind.

There is definitely a need to recognize the limits of science. A precautionary principle ought to be applied and ethical and social concerns to policy formulation and decision-making should be considered. Because of a number of cases illustrated where harm has continued to be done even after negative consequences have been demonstrated, the public’s trust in the benefits that sciences hold have somehow diminished.

Furthermore, a deeper knowledge of the history of Science and Technology will show us that Science was never meant to isolate itself from all other branches of knowledge. Achievements on Science and Technology must also be geared to achievements on Society.

Learning the history of Science will show us that most, if not all, achievements in this overwhelmingly vast body of systematized knowledge is littered with disagreeable discoveries, adversities and consequential remedial action. It is up to us to translate these misfortunes into beautifully crafted triumphs for the good of the human race.