Is Technology Good?

Paper Summary:

The paper relates that throughout the history of science, new advances were often met with religious opposition. The paper further relates that new technologies and modern applications of science are not necessarily entirely risk free. The paper asserts that while the criticisms voiced by religious conservatives and the uneducated lay public are unfounded, the profit motive certainly does increase the chances of ecologically dangerous developments associated with modern scientific applications. The paper therefore shows that scientific progress and technology may be used responsibly for the good or irresponsibly; it is solely human choice that makes science dangerous.

Outline:
Background and History
Discussion of the Issue
Analysis and Opinion

From the Paper:

"Throughout the history of science, new advances and discoveries have had to confront criticisms from those worried about the possible dangers associated with new technology. During the Middle Ages, astronomers like Giordano Bruno were burned at the stake for publicizing astronomical observations that contradicted religious teachings about the origin and history of the Solar System. Even Galileo was branded a heretic, threatened with torture and death, and ultimately confined to the Medieval equivalent of "house arrest" for the remainder of his life (Bishop 1997)
"On the other hand, new technologies and modern applications of science are not necessarily entirely risk free. Especially when science is conducted or applied for the purposes of business for profit, the risks naturally associated with them are magnified dramatically. Ecological history provides numerous examples illustrating the potential risks of irresponsible scientific applications (Rifkin 2004)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bishop, J.M. (1997) Enemies of Promise.
• Rifkin, J. (2004) The Biotech Century: Playing Ecological Roulette with Mother Nature's Designs.

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