The importance of culture or knowledge often causes disputes in many places around the world. In Hawaii, this topic often relates to the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT). Local natives and astronomers often clash because of the locals’ desire to preserve their traditions and cultures, and their sacred mountain, Mauna Kea, while astronomers want to seek new information about space or astronomy. Culture will eventually wear out and disappear, but new information and learning how to deal with others never does – that science teaches us -, determines why cultural values and beliefs should not be considered before scientists plan projects seeking new knowledge from scientific research.
Although tradition and culture are important, knowledge serves a far greater purpose. Learning new information can open up more occupations and opportunities for everyone around. For instance, if the TMT existed on the summit of Mauna Kea, that would open up more jobs in the technical field for students to apply to, and it could improve Hawaii’s schools because an interest in a specific field means more mindfulness on what the students learn (Source 1, paragraph 10). According to Alexis Acohido, a part Native Hawaiian, the building of the TMT would also “set up an
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The spurious importance of traditions and honorable places note only two reasons why scientists should not take in cultural beliefs when conducting scientific research.
Knowledge, learning how to prevent disputes, and improving social skills are all reasons why scientific knowledge beats cultural values and beliefs. Neil Armstrong once stated that “Research is creating new knowledge,” and if cultural values and beliefs are considered before scientist plan projects seeking new knowledge from scientific research, then no new knowledge or discoveries will ever transpire
This can take a turn for the worse: if scientists have to have their work follow what politics, religions, and people believe, we might limit what science stands for. Religion and politics should never have control over science, instead they should use science to help explain their own goals. Science should be used as a way to challenge old beliefs and help clear out fact from fiction. At the same time though, science should challenge itself so it can stay true to its main point of challenging old dogmas, as Carl Sagan said in his article.
This perception results from a combination of personal experience and social integration. Kurtz argues that there are “two kinds of values within human experience [...] values rooted in unexamined feelings, faith, custom, or authority [...] and values that are influenced by cognition and informed by rational inquiry” (73). He reveals that one can base his values on either intangible beliefs, or on logical exploration, and suggests that the latter one is more correct. However, what is right or wrong is a matter of cultural interpretation, and what is wise today may not be wise tomorrow. Subsequently, it is the way we use scientific findings that matters more than what those findings actually are. In the cloning example, the only reason safety was considered an issue is because of the belief that we should not harm a human, given that we perceive our lives to be special. Even so, Galileo was persecuted and Giordano Bruno was burnt at the stake for suggesting that the earth goes round the sun and not vice versa. This is common knowledge now, having had our notions evolve with science, but it does not change the way the two of them, along with many others, were treated for going against the doctrine of their time. This proves that science does influence the way we factually look at things (eventually) but that we still use it according to our deeply rooted beliefs, creating divisions and tensions amongst our own
The word “bias” has always had a negative connotation. Although it is used synonymously with bigotry and prejudice, its meaning is actually more akin to “point of view,” “personal tendency,” or “preference.” Just as every individual has her own worldview, so she has a set of biases. These biases are often observable in a person’s habits, speech, and, perhaps most explicitly, writings. Daniel Boorstin, renowned University of Chicago professor, historian, author, and librarian of Congress, is undeniably biased towards certain cultures in The Discoverers. A book chronicling mankind’s scientific history, its first words are “My hero is Man the Discoverer.” In his telling of “man’s search to know his world and himself,” Boorstin declares that
This discussion focuses on two issues: the relationship between evidence and hypotheses; and, the role of "contextual" values in inquiry. Longino contrasts contextual values with constitutive values. The latter, the "values generated from an understanding of the goals of scientific inquiry," "are the source of the rules determining what constitutes acceptable scientific practice or scientific method" (L1990, 4). That these values influence inquiry is not a problem. But the former, "personal, social, and cultural values," are thought to threaten the integrity of scientific inquiry (L1990, 4-5).
When asked how he feels about the advancement of science to places that were once notions to be the job of the creator, Dr. Martin Luther King replies by saying, “Cowardice asks is it safe? Expedience asks is it political? Vanity asks is it popular? But the conscience asks is it right?”
I can't help but make some analogies between science and American culture. The United States has clearly created a so called "positive" culture by deculturalizing and assimilating those who don't fit in with the prescribed American standards, norms, values and systems of belief. The attempt of the dominant society to create cultural homogeneity through assimilation and acculturation have been undertaken through our educational system.
Society seems to be divided between the idea if science is more harmful than helpful. We live in a world where humans depend on science and technology to improve important aspects of society, such as medical machinery, which supports the fact that science is more of a friend than a foe. Science is advancing every day. The United States has come a long way with its ongoing developments, giving individuals a chance to improve society as a whole. Not only does the United States benefit from such growth, but every modernized country does so as well. Through science and technology, individuals learn from past endeavors and apply it to present and future projects, paving the way for new discoveries and efficient enhancements
...aims better, but also give them more credibility to others. When examining other perspectives, they are for the most part similar to my own. This knowledge claim can be seen as universal.
Since mankind’s beginning, it has always felt the need to explore beyond farther than it has already explored; whether it be the crossing of the Atlantic to the New World or the exploration of the land acquired through the Louisiana Purchase, humans have always felt the need to explore and study what they do not know (SV;SV). But now since the world has been near scraped dry of new places to explore, where does mankind turn? Of course the answer is space, the vast and great unknown. One of the largest contributors to the human exploration of space is none other than those of the United States of America who have taken on large goals with the risk of lives for the sake of knowledge while always trying to improve in order to reach farther from our home planet.
Competition is often useful as a means of motivation. However, in the scientific world, competition has the potential to cause many scientists to forget their main purpose in research. The main goal of scientific research is to develop knowledge that will better society. When scientists work together to help each other reach a common goal, science is working as it should.
As time has progressed, a divide has been created between scientists and those who strongly...
In “The Nature and Necessity of Scientific Research” it says, “they are the source of the methods, problem-field, and standards of solution accepted by any mature scientific community at any given time.” These new discoveries can lead then to advancements and as a result can lead them to build a better society. Human beings will be able to reconstruct a better institutional framework which will bring them a prosperous and happy
The microscope which is invented and developed by much different scientist overtime is one of the most important tools a scientist especially in the biology and chemistry study can use. It made an impact in how we view life and learn more about the nature of diseases that had plague mankind for years. The microscope is mainly a tool biologist use but it has many uses for those studying chemistry.
The issue shall discuss the various differences between science and other types of knowledge and discuss the argument whether the science can rely without the separate theories posted by non-scientific educational bodies. ...
Since the beginning of astronomy, astronomers had a unanimous goal: to see farther, better and in greater details.