Technology and Science as Progressive Human Endeavor - Essay Example

Technology and Society Technology and Science as Progressive Human Endeavor I agree that technology and science represent the only progressive human accomplishments which make it a necessary part of life. According to Rudi Volti, technology and science is a fundamentally vigorous and increasing process that enhances with time. In reality, even though many things have been realized through science, many more issues remain and they need to be understood. In this way, science and technology can never be completed but instead it becomes progressive with each step. There is always a need for continuous improvement to enhance what has been invented so as to make things better while others are made faster. In this way, science is a unique human endeavor that does not compare to other issues like social concerns (Volti 7). According to Volti, other human efforts do not have this unique progressive characteristic that sets science aside. For instance, the works of Shakespeare, and the concept of the Bible is a great achievement that human beings value. However, when it comes to technology and science, the old computers are not valuable anymore but rather a new progress is more exciting. Dependency on technology is an old practice for the human race which makes it a cultural element. This is because technology is a creative sensation of intangible investigation that has the power to free humans’ attachment to precise models and principles in a bid to generate more fitting cultural practices. It is the way of life for the human kind with the potential to develop into something more acceptable and appealing (Volti 7). Technology and science signifies the human vision of continual development that is valuable. For instance, in some countries technology has grown but other human efforts like equality are lacking. It is evident that Nazi regime developed the most unique cars like Mercedes but killed millions of Jews and other groups (Volti 7). Technology, Progress and Rationality The scientific understanding that generated “technology”, “progress” and “rationality” is closely related. It is evident from various scholars that technology growth is what has signified progress since the olden days. Technology has modeled how human beings view the world through the realization that progress is part and parcel of life. It is through the understanding of this belief that rationality is born in regards to technology. In a scientifically advanced society, problems are analyzed in a logical manner and solutions to these problems are possible. For instance, it is rationality that leads human beings to see severe weather as a pattern and not an angry God who is punishing the world. A rational method of facing problems is based on identification and generation of suitable methods of achieving a particular result (Volti 12). According to Volti, rational thinking does not refer to moral dominance because it is evident that extreme rationality like the Nazi Germany leads to moral indiscretions. This relationship is important because technology progress has brought out rationality in many aspects of life. For instance, people stopped believing in sprits, demons, magic and the idea of prophecy. It is clear that technology progress has enhanced rationality to determine if a certain invention is appropriate or inappropriate (Volti 12). Progress is what has led to the enhancement of technology as well as rationality and it is observed through the forces of invention or production. The level of technology or the problems that are witnessed determine if progress is positive or negative. In times of crisis, like global warming, rationality shows that technology advancement is destructive rather than beneficial. However, in enhancement of medicine rationality reveals that technological progress is highly important (Volti 12). Scientific and Industrial Revolutions The scientific revolution and industrial revolution are different although often they are used interchangeably. Science is a procedure of acquiring knowledge in line with systematic procedures while it is also attaining knowledge through research. Science is believed to have no motive instead it is pure with just an aim of developing knowledge. It is more flexible than technology such that it can forego one theory for another concept that looks promising. In the process of obtaining knowledge, it is imperative for all possibilities to be accounted for to have an acceptable scientific development (Volti 25). Industrial revolution (or what is now known as technology) is a concept that enables the creation of products with potential to deal with problems that affect human life. In essence, technology is basically the practical use of science using tools and crafts to generate something. Technologies have been created before without science but the scientific legacy is more significant in all instances. Technology in essence is a means to an end which results in structured efforts because of product demands and the need to be successful. It is not possible to abandon a technological projects like a scientist would a theory because of constricts such as time, and money (Volti 20). Scientific revolution was a necessary part of progress because technological advancements reached a dead end without scientific knowledge. It is clear that when science and technology do not work together, development becomes slow than when they are interacting. A major awakening in industrial revolution is realized in Britain during the mechanization that occurred in the textile field. Most of the tasks that were initially done with hands by hundreds of weavers were all collectively brought in the cotton mill and this created the factory. A major event in scientific revolution is the identification of viruses that are responsible for the spread diseases through various surfaces (Volti 25). Three Different Industrial Revolutions The first Industrial revolution took place in Britain towards the end of the 18th century that saw the mechanization of the textile trade. In essence, many jobs that were performed by hands by hundreds of artisans were brought together in one cotton factory. This gave birth to the factory and all the weavers were employed to work on the machines. The second industrial revolution was witnessed in the 20th century with Henry Ford in America who brought the idea of assembly line and therefore, the concept of mass production. The idea of the automobile that middle class Americans could pay for was a great development. The third industrial revolution is witnesses through the creation of systems that computerize the concept of manufacturing. Today, many things can be created into a computer and printed with digital technology. It is the era of computer technology and many things that can be designed using advanced software, applications, and programs (Valley 147). The first revolution created identical mass production of fabrics that favored the customer with a fair price. The social life was adversely affected with many people having an increase in income, housing, agriculture, and the living standards of many improved. The political systems became more focused on protecting the factories that came into place to generate more money for the economy. The second revolution is based on mass production and steel development. The social effects included introduction of better housing, electricity, automobile, and consumer goods were generated in bulk. The third revolution is the new age of computers and it enhanced production, marketing, and customer satisfaction. It is an era of fast communication, easy access to products through the internet, and the development of artificial intelligent machines to assist people (Valley 39). Volti on Science and Technology Volti argues that science is the pursuit of knowledge for the sole purpose of finding a scientific result. Science is a pure motivated process that lays the foundation for technology to prosper while research is also a factor in science. Science is a process that works freely with the potential to abandon the current theory for a more promising concept. Volti believes that scientific knowledge can be enhanced through the development of technological achievements. On the other hand, he claims that technology is a system of events that are pursued with balancing effects that the developments would be a solution to certain problems. Technology takes time to bring results and it is not confined to one location. Volt argues that different areas influence technology for instance, the Turbo-jet formation depended largely of designs that were carried out in steam turbines (Volti 23). The difference between technology and science came about because of breakthrough in a single revolutionary development. It is clear that technological inventions are linked to genius individuals like Alexander Fleming who made penicillin. This difference is meaningful because through science it is possible for technology to advance faster. It is also clear that even though the two are used interchangeably, they are different but they work together to bring better results. Technology can be developed without science, but at some level it stalls without the advancement of science. Volti also argues that capitalists with the power to take invention and change it into a successful venture are significant but not as important as the one that generated the invention. In this essence, the difference is meaningful since science is a great motivator to an effective technological development (Volti 27). Subversive to Technology Some people dislike technology because it also has negative effects in the society such as destruction of social practices. It is possible for people to have negative feelings towards technology when they realize that social norms like face to face communication are being eroded by modern devices. This may seem contrary to what nature intended like in its production it can lead to destruction of the ecosystem like the case of global warming. Technology develops fast and it may seem that it is out of control to some people like in the case of robots that take over human roles (Volti). Luddites were a group formed in the 19th century by English textile weavers who were protesting the new machines that replaced manual labor. Many people were left without work during the first industrial revolution when machines like spinning, and stocking frames took over manual work. They resulted in throwing stones and objects to break the threshing machines that had the capacity to be operated through cheaper and less skilled individuals therefore, causing high numbers of unemployment (Volti 9). Neo-Luddites is a term that is coined by people who oppose most forms of current technology. This is a movement that aims at opposing consumerism and the progressively fast introductions of technologies in this computer age. These people are focused on refusing any use of technological devices since they perceive them to have negative consequences to individuals, environment, and the society in general (Volti 9). The people threatened by technology have a case because it is a human right to accept or not accept anything introduced in the world. They have the right to protect themselves from what they perceive as a threat to their lives and their existence. However, even though they have a case of fighting against various forms of technology, they would be reliable if they engage in violent activities in the process (Volti). Future of Higher Education The future of higher education seems that it is likely to be highly advanced as technology advances in the United States and the rest of the world. The teaching method is likely to be different with new techniques of certification that might be due to opportunity, economic issues, and parents as well as students interest. It is clear from how technology is advancing, there might be adoption of systems like teleconferencing, and distance learning and online classes to compete with new systems of teaching that are underway. Higher education is much likely to lose the face to face classroom concepts and adoption of new systems of distance learning since technology is growing fast in the education sector. In this way, the level of technology would be the focus of most lessons and how effective it may or may not be to the students (Volti). Through the development of new technology and tools that focus on education, creativity and inquiry is bound to enhance in higher education institution. This is because the higher education candidates are more centered on a nurturing education and this means they would like to develop techniques that add value to the society. Creativity is an element that is bound to increase with the increasing technological advancements in this sector. In this respect, more new tools, objects, and computer programs are bound to emerge that are beneficial to the technology world today. It is important to note that creativity goes hand in hand with technology since it is the root of progress. Many students in higher education systems understand how technology has changed the world and would like to contribute in advancing this field (Volti). Works Cited Volti, Rudi. Society and Technological Change. London: Worth Publishers, 2013. Print. Valley, Richard. American Politics: A Very Short Introduction. Great Clarendon Street, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013. Print. Read More