Science and Culture

-Laurence McKinley

Introduction

Laurence M.Gould was an American geologist educator. He has written a number of scientific articles. In the essay 'Science And Culture' Laurence stresses the need for a unified humanist education.

Man's dependence upon Science and Technology

Modern life is completely dependent upon science and technology. Science and its products determine economy. It is science that dominates our industry, affects our health and welfare and changes our relations with other countries. The modern society is confident that science and technology can take care of all human needs.

The dispute between Science and Humanities.

During Greek civilization there was unity between art and science. Philosophy and science remained inseparable until the end of eighteenth century. But later, a dangerous gap developed It is time to be ended, says Lawrence Gould. We must have humanists who understand and include scientific knowledge in their imagination of the world . To-day 'humanities' is narrowly interpreted, regrets the author.

The misconception about Science :

Science is not a form of black magic says Laurence Could. Only after many experiments and research the scientific goal is achieved. There is no end for scientific research. Scientific truth is dynamic and self-correcting and never final.

Science is the art of understanding Nature :

Great scientist make bold guesses and look for order. They believe that science is a means of teaching the truths about the world. A scientist must invent concepts to make the world understand them. According to Laurence pure science along with religion and art is one of man's great avenues in his search for truth. Science is the record of someone's personal experience.

The relationship between scientists and poets :

Both the scientist and the poet seek to explore and to understand, but only the form of exploration differs. The romantic poet Shelley says that one of the tasks of the literary artist is to absorb the knowledge of the sciences and assimilate it to human needs. The past poets, Dante and Milton were inspired by astronomical science. In his epic poem ‘Paradise Lost' Milton wrote about Antartica. The great philosopher Aristotle considered the greatest naturalist a father of biology.

Conclusion :

Lawrence Gould says that science when viewed historically, is the great untapped reservoir of humanism As science and technology have woven unity into society we cannot escape from them.