Science, a menace to civilisation?

There can be no doubt that science has brought enormous changes to our lives. Yet, there is still suffering and with the presence of nuclear arms and global warming, we seem to be close to self-destruction. As such, there are some who conclude that science is a menace to civilisation. However, I believe otherwise. Firstly, science has its benefits. Secondly, science is just a tool, it is the user which decides if it is used for good or ill. Thirdly, I think we have no alternative anyway.

One of the benefits science has provided is the greatly increased life expectancy and reduction of child mortality. While some may rant about the possibilities of using genetic manipulation to control the world, we should look at the tangible benefits. Why talk about grim predictions of the future such as in Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World when the statistics tell us that today, we have a vastly greater life expectancy and lower child mortality rate compared to say 200 years ago. Surely civilisation, which values life, should take this as a great achievement.

What then about the charges that science has destroyed the meaning of our existence, rendered us incapable of communicating face to face and destroyed the environment? In my opinion, this is just the effects of a misuse of science. Science, like all tools, can be used for good or evil. Take a kitchen knife for example. It can be used to kill a person or to cut vegetables but no one is going to say we should abolish it. Similarly, a lack of social skills will only result from an overuse of technology and a lack of purpose from one who may ignore religion. In addition, while science has allowed us to overexploit the environment, it also gives us ways to repair it. Science, when used in excess, definitely can turn against us. But used in moderation, with a positive outlook and the right intentions, one can avoid its negative aspects.

Lastly, all this talk about science being a menace to civilisation is useless if there is a viable alternative. As far as I can see, there is none. Science has become so entrenched in our modern society that we are not equipped to deal with its removal. There is practically no society and occupation that is completely free from the influence of science. As far as I know, likely only nomads in desert areas would be free. Even then, what kind of life is to be had just trying to scrape together enough food to survive? As for the rest of us, a world without science is like leaving a domesticated dog in the wild, it dies because it is unable to adapt to its new environment. Science has essentially become part of our civilisation.

In my opinion, while science has undoubtedly brought us closer to destruction than ever before, we must not forget that it has also allowed civilisation to come so far. As John F. Kennedy said in his inauguration speech, “man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life”. It is up to us to decide what we will do with technology but regardless, science has only been just a tool for us, it is ultimately our human nature that has been the greatest threat to our civilisation.