The need for study of history & philosophy of science & technology
Author :Saha, Samir Kuma
Keywords :Technology--History
Science -- History
Issue Date :2012-01
Publisher :National Council of Science Museums, Kolkata
Description :Science today has become an institution. But it can also be taken (i) as a method, (ii) as a cumulative tradition of knowledge (iii) as a major factor contributing to production of goods & services and (iv) as one of the most powerful influences moulding beliefs and attitudes to universe and man. And also, science has a Social function. These points were raised and Studied thoroughly by J. D. Bernal. Recently P. Fara has explained how science belongs to the real world of war, politics and business. She explores the Sociological angle, arguing that being right is not always enough, if an idea has to prevail, people must say it is right.
The study of History of Science helps us to go beyond the definition. ‘Science is experiment, observation and inference'. From a study of mankind's progress - we go beyond. From organisation of laboratories to public perception of science & technology to national politics, all are now studied in the broad discipline of history of science.
Understanding science is crucial to our understanding of nature and civilization as a whole - but there still remain questions unanswered. It is also important to distinguish between the various methods of arriving at truth - logical positivism, deduction, inductive method, falsification or paradigm shift. In many countries, Science teaching is being deeply studied by philosophers of science.
The present world is at a crossroad. To create a knowledge Society, to create innovative minds - it is important to understand the structure of scientific method. This paper explores these in some detail. Also, it is argued, history & philosophy of science have to be studied concurrently.
Description :Includes bibliographical references.
Source :National Council of Science Museums
Type :Article
Received From :National Council of Science Museums
DC Field
Value
dc.contributor.author
Saha, Samir Kuma
dc.date.accessioned
2017-06-15T10:41:10Z
dc.date.available
2017-06-15T10:41:10Z
dc.description
Includes bibliographical references.
dc.date.issued
2012-01
dc.description.abstract
Science today has become an institution. But it can also be taken (i) as a method, (ii) as a cumulative tradition of knowledge (iii) as a major factor contributing to production of goods & services and (iv) as one of the most powerful influences moulding beliefs and attitudes to universe and man. And also, science has a Social function. These points were raised and Studied thoroughly by J. D. Bernal. Recently P. Fara has explained how science belongs to the real world of war, politics and business. She explores the Sociological angle, arguing that being right is not always enough, if an idea has to prevail, people must say it is right.
The study of History of Science helps us to go beyond the definition. ‘Science is experiment, observation and inference'. From a study of mankind's progress - we go beyond. From organisation of laboratories to public perception of science & technology to national politics, all are now studied in the broad discipline of history of science.
Understanding science is crucial to our understanding of nature and civilization as a whole - but there still remain questions unanswered. It is also important to distinguish between the various methods of arriving at truth - logical positivism, deduction, inductive method, falsification or paradigm shift. In many countries, Science teaching is being deeply studied by philosophers of science.
The present world is at a crossroad. To create a knowledge Society, to create innovative minds - it is important to understand the structure of scientific method. This paper explores these in some detail. Also, it is argued, history & philosophy of science have to be studied concurrently.
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