Science: a Menace to Civilisation?

Question: In Text A, the author argues passionately for why he considers Science to be a menace to civilisation. In contrast, the author of Text B reasons that it is unfair to simply denounce Science as such. Whose view and arguments do you agree with? You may use relevant information from the texts to justify your answer. However, you should rely largely on your own relevant ideas and experiences.

I believe that Science was not a menace to civilisation in the past. However, it has become more and more of a danger to civilisation in this nuclear age.

In the past, Science was a branch of studies which gave rise to many new innovations and inventions. Tooth extraction in the past made use of many dangerous-looking types of equipment and encompassed many tiring procedures. However, after being “blessed” by the wonderful Science technology, tooth extraction became a much easier process which just requires one machine and one dentist (obviously). Many things which we see around us everyday are all also breakthroughs of Science, such as the laptop, air conditioner, and the lifts and so on. In this way, we can see that Science has indeed improved our lives by making it more comfortable and efficient in getting things done.

In the 90^th century, science made almost anything possible. There were better healthcare, better medical faculties and better defence system. It also made people’s death come easier and earlier. Science could kill as easily as saving people.

In the warring ages, there appeared to have a drastic increase in war machines production and advancement of war technology which also encompasses the production of new and more efficient bombs, missiles and tanks. All of this science technology improved the country’s defence system, but it also exposed us to more danger and death from the advanced weapons and their destruction forces, such as the example of Hiroshima and Nagasaki near the end of World War 2. Many suffered side-effects from the bomb, and these effects were not short-termed. After seeing the impact that Science has on civilisation in this instant, it is understandable that there is such a statement that says Science being a menace to civilisation. However, it is thoroughly unfair to announce Science as a menace to civilisation just based on a few points.

It is totally unfair to say that Science has helped the humans only and not the other species of living organisms. As more research is done in the field of living organisms other than humans, we have come to realise more of their importance and have come to realise that there are not just food sources, the animals can be a human’s best friend as well. Take for example, a sensitive and intelligent dog leading a blind man on the plain streets. This was not possible in the past, when human beings did not know that the dogs could be such a good helper to humans.

Science is a branch of studies. The study of Science itself cannot be evil or good. It is the results of science discovery that marked out whether it is helpful to society or it will not benefit society. It is the humans who make use of the science technology for good or for evil. If the human use the science technology for good, science would then benefit the majority. If the human who is using the science has evil intentions, then science itself would then become a menace to civilisation. Once you gain the knowledge of the science behind the mechanisms, you may unleash it for good or evil.

Therefore, I believe that Science when used correctly will not be a menace to civilisation, however, it could in another way be a menace to civilisation as well.