Monday, January 25, 2010
What is a Scientist?
Reach back to the first two weeks of class where we discussed the different views of science through the eyes of George Orwell in “What is Science?” with T.H. Huxley’s “We are All Scientists” and with Oliver La Farge’s “Scientists are Lonely Men”. Each person’s views differ in the aspect of how a scientist is born, or what gives a scientist his or her drive to do science. Orwell thinks that everyone needs to be taught science in order to become a scientist. Huxley believes that since science is all around us and can be found in even the smallest everyday jobs we perform, we are all scientists. LaFarge believes that scientists have a passion that drives them to discover and push through the tedious and mind-numbing repetitious tasks some experiments require. In your opinion, who do you agree with more? If you find yourself torn or not able to reason with any of the views, explain a new view that you may have.
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I agree with Orwell the most. He is saying that what is important are not the facts of science, but the method of science, which promotes rational thinking. He interjects the concept of morality, and this is what he deems vital. He mentions the fact that many scientists collaborated with and assisted the atrocities of the Nazi regime; while they were "good" scientists in the conventional sense of the word, they failed to employ scientific, or rational, reasoning so that they would understand the implications of their actions. They lacked morality, which Orwell views as essential. Having scientists that can regurgitate facts and think linearly about the task at hand does not improve a society, and that is what he is concerned with: the elevation of society. However, having people who perceive morality to be indispensable and connected with science will pave the way for a better society. He mentions a good point: those who more bitterly protest against this type of teaching are those who have the most to lose from it. We place scientists on this pedestal: they have knowledge that we cannot possibly understand, and if they are so kind as to share that information with us, we must defer to them uncritically. Once there is the realization, and Huxley alluded to this in his essay, that we are all scientists, the mystery surrounding them will dissipate, and we will see that those classified as scientists are the same as us, with just more time to devote to their specialized area of science.This idea is empowering, and a great defense for those who wish to impose their beliefs on others.
ReplyDeleteI don't completely agree with any of them, however, I do feel that Huxley's view of science and scientists is the closest to my perception. I think the "We are all scientists" motto is a little bit over the top. While everyone single one of us applies the scientific method more or less every day, we are far from scientists because of it. While the necessity to think in this way is crucial to all schools of science, the knowledge base needed is essential as well. Furthermore, it would be hard to snatch a random person off the street and get them to perform experiments and not have them die of boredom. I guess in a way my view on science would be in the middle of the three thoughts from Huxley, Orwell, and LaFarge, but with more emphasis on Huxley's. I honestly haven't figured it out entirely for myself, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Huxley. The way we think, makes us all Scientist. We use trial and error everyday to find out what we should and shouldn't do. How do you think Peyton Manning became as good as a quarterback as he did? It was trial and error through all the years he has been playing. The same goes for scientist trying to find the cure for cancer, they use trial and error. Then again, I think what makes different scientist stand out is there drive for discovery. So I suppose it would be a mix of Huxley and Lafarge. We are all scientist but it is a drive that can make people stand out.
ReplyDeleteI think I agree with Huxley the most. While I would not classify everyone as a "scientist" I do believe that everyone uses, like Kevin said, "trial and error" and the scientific method. People can observe anything that goes on in the world around them and can choose to find out what causes it. For scientists it is their job to find right answers to things while other people do scientific things for their own benefit. I do not classify everyone as a scientist, but we are capable of rational thought and problem solving. Thus we can find out new things about the universe we live in.
ReplyDeleteI think that the scientist is a mixture between the views of Huxley's and LaFarge's. I believe that everyone is a scientist because we encounter science everyday but where we see normal life, a true scientist sees the science hiding behind. These people called scientists have the passion that drives them to see beyond basic life. This passion is what separates the dedicated scientist from the normal/average person. As an 'Average Joe', Joe does everyday tasks absentmindedly where as 'Scientist Bob' does the same tasks but realizes the science working behind the scenes.
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