On 21st century science
In past centuries the predominant role of science was the production of new knowledge to satisfy the curiosity of the human mind. In recent years, the role of science has undergone changes, as scientific inquiry has increasingly become the motor of development in society. By the end of the 20th century, science has acquired a number of new roles. These novel roles may - and should - contribute in a decisive manner to the daily life of humankind in the 21st century.
In spite of its spectacular development and new opportunities, the science of 21st century faces wavering confidence, unseen dilemmas and brand new questions. These problems can be solved only if the main procedures and users of knowledge are able to reach common ground for the new roles of knowledge and science in 21st century’s global Society.
The fields of science and engineering have become increasingly interconnected with industry, government, academia, and the public, as emphasis has shifted from pure to applied science, particularly since World War II. In a historical perspective on the association and subsequent disassociation between science and politics, James Zappen (1987) argues for a renewed pluralism between the two. Zappen asserts that “because of changes in science and technology symbolized by Albert Einstein, science itself has become more political” (29). His argument is well sustained in light of the many examples of scientific and engineering developments that are driven by commerce and subject to government regulation and public scrutiny and that do in fact “affect the social and institutional good” (29). The current, hotly debated topics of genetically modified foods, embryo research, treatments for HIV/AIDS, and computerized military combat tactics, not to mention the race for space technology and space science, or the more secretive ones related to the developing of artificial intelligence are just a few of these examples.
Thus, we cannot say anymore that science belongs to the savants, to the elite of scientists that create it. Science belongs to everybody. Not only to the governments and highly placed officials that decide the plans and faith of the world, but to each and every one of us, the common people. Because the science of the 21st century appears to become a secularized science, as it more and more increasingly and rapidly moves from theory to practice and scientists worldwide seem more and more preoccupied with the immediate applicability of their theoretical discoveries.
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