Science has come to mankind as a blessing or as a use for ruin (bane), one must know what science means exactly. It is said that science is a systematic classification of experiences. We, the men we marvel at the various things and events that happen around us. We have doubts; What are they? These questions are the basic seeds of science. Then begins the thought, the reasoning, the analysis, the synthesis, the comparison and the contrast and finally the truth emerges.
Scientists say there is a scientific method for everything and there are inevitable steps to follow:
(1) Observation
(2) Hypothesis
(3) Experiment
(4) Theory and
(5) Test. All scientists, somehow, have followed these steps.
The goal of science is the search for truth, and to know things, hitherto unknown. A scientist does not accept ideas, simply because, they were accepted by others before. Great discoveries are the result of reasoning. It requires a lot of patience and observation. Civilization, as it is today, is the result of a series of discoveries made in the field of science. The invention of the single wheel has given rise to our modern industrialization.
Electricity, as a source of energy, has revolutionized the world. Medical science is so advanced that the average life of an Indian has increased to 62 years from 35 years. Science has contributed to the success of our green revolution and now we have enough food for all. We have enough clothes and better coat too. All this is possible, because of science. The radios, televisions and cinemas that entertain us are the products of science. So an ordinary man has to conclude that science is a blessing to humanity.
There is the other side of the coin as well. T.L. Peacock says; "I almost think it's the ultimate destiny of science to exterminate the human race." That is the other point of view. It is science, which gave rise to destructive weapons such as dynamite, weapons, rifles, rockets, atomic bombs, hydrogen bombs, etc. It is science that gave electric power and nuclear energy. If nuclear energy is used for peaceful purposes, there is no need for fear. But after all, it is human to err. Can anyone say that there is no possibility of a repeat of the destruction of Hiroshima or Nagasaki? If that happens, will not science be a nightmare of humanity?
Leaving that aside, another creation of science is pollution of the environment. Industrialization with the help of science has polluted the air, water, food and atmosphere. The ozone layer is giving menacing signals. So here is a case for man to consider science as a cause of ruin.
Man is a rational being. He can protect himself against all odds. That's how he was able to conquer and control all the other creatures in the world. So we believe that his wisdom will prevail and he would reason for the welfare of his species on this planet.
When the universe reveals more secrets to man through science, there is hope that the present man will become a superman and, finally, science would be only a blessing and not a nightmare of his life. Science without consciousness is the death of the soul.
