Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Scientific Paradigms
We are going to do a presentation on how scientists have changed the way that society and the world perceive the world. I am working with a partner and we are talking about Madame Currie. Madame Currie sacrificed her health and eventually her life to persue scientific discovery on radiation and therefore was able to show the world the harmful effects of radiation. Imagine learning one day that the pretty glowing rocks used in everyday products was actually causing cancer and slowly killing you through invisible rays? The theory of such a reality only being learned in an instant after using radioactive materials in make-up, clothing, jewellery, and everyday products. The idea that something we use everyday could actually have invisible dangers is a freaky concept to consider.
Scientific VS Ethics
Now then, I personally have the idea that science and ethics are connected, but not necessarily in a good way. Scientists (thinking only logically and rationally) have a way of upsetting the ethical protesters in very strong ways. Think about it for a second, a scientist believes in knowledge and facts, and will not hesitate to examine anything that is curious to them, even if it means pushing some of the ethical boundaries we set for ourselves.
One example is stem cell research, scientists see the possibility for vast knowledge of cells, the process of cell differentiation and medical advances beyond our comprehension. Ethical people see scientists dissecting babies in a lab mechanically. Now, both sides may be a little dramatised but there are constant arguments on whether the benefits of major medical advances merits killing unborn babies. Scientists argue that the babies are not even alive and in most cases, would have died anyways, while ethical people believe that every person has a right to their own body and therefore babies are people too, even if they are not conscious at the time.
Another example is cloning, scientists see possibilities of experimenting on human duplicates and medical advances. Ethical people see the violation of human rights and also (if they are religious) the distortion of the natural order of things. Scientists will argue that the ability to use clones to provide easy access to organs. Ethical people say that clones are humans too and that the replication of a natural organism is distorting the natural order of the world.
One example is stem cell research, scientists see the possibility for vast knowledge of cells, the process of cell differentiation and medical advances beyond our comprehension. Ethical people see scientists dissecting babies in a lab mechanically. Now, both sides may be a little dramatised but there are constant arguments on whether the benefits of major medical advances merits killing unborn babies. Scientists argue that the babies are not even alive and in most cases, would have died anyways, while ethical people believe that every person has a right to their own body and therefore babies are people too, even if they are not conscious at the time.
Another example is cloning, scientists see possibilities of experimenting on human duplicates and medical advances. Ethical people see the violation of human rights and also (if they are religious) the distortion of the natural order of things. Scientists will argue that the ability to use clones to provide easy access to organs. Ethical people say that clones are humans too and that the replication of a natural organism is distorting the natural order of the world.
Science Unit Intro
Science is all around us, we have to learn it in school, use it for research, every bit of technology was developed by a scientist. So what is the difference between a scientific perspective and one following a religious belief or ethical person? Can you be religious and ethical and still do science? Those questions are just some which we will learn the answers to through our science unit.
What do we see when we think of a scientist. When I think of one, I see messy hair, a stained lab coat, a microscope, pale skin, male, and glasses. Perhaps the main reason for such an image is because some of the most famous scientists we have seen follow that description. Albert Einstein is one example. The glasses are probably from spending too much time reading and examining things (plus people always say that a person with glasses is probably smarter). The lab coat and microscope are just because of usual equipment used. The messy hair is probably because when you are thinking logically, why would you care about your outward appearance? The one point that perhaps is the most stereotypical and I dislike the most is the male and pale skin points. I am not sexist but you must admit that the male dominated means of scientific research have caused a large imprint in our perspectives. But that is just my first image, I would not be surprised to see a woman scientist. The pale skin was because my idea is that a scientist will not spend much time outside, rather, that tehy will stay in a lab with artifical light. But there is also the imprint that most scientists are caucasian, something which, when i think about it, is so far from the truth it is almost comical. It's funny how the society we are brought up in can so significantly change our unconcious perspectives and stereotypes.
What do we see when we think of a scientist. When I think of one, I see messy hair, a stained lab coat, a microscope, pale skin, male, and glasses. Perhaps the main reason for such an image is because some of the most famous scientists we have seen follow that description. Albert Einstein is one example. The glasses are probably from spending too much time reading and examining things (plus people always say that a person with glasses is probably smarter). The lab coat and microscope are just because of usual equipment used. The messy hair is probably because when you are thinking logically, why would you care about your outward appearance? The one point that perhaps is the most stereotypical and I dislike the most is the male and pale skin points. I am not sexist but you must admit that the male dominated means of scientific research have caused a large imprint in our perspectives. But that is just my first image, I would not be surprised to see a woman scientist. The pale skin was because my idea is that a scientist will not spend much time outside, rather, that tehy will stay in a lab with artifical light. But there is also the imprint that most scientists are caucasian, something which, when i think about it, is so far from the truth it is almost comical. It's funny how the society we are brought up in can so significantly change our unconcious perspectives and stereotypes.
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