Science: a Menace to Civilisation?

Some argue that science is a menace to civilisation, but the story isn't the same for scientists who seek future development in our society. Science has brought about many changes to our society, ranging from the light bulb to the modern cars we see common along the streets. In fact, everything around each and every one of us now is actually a creation of science. Science has saved many lives and brought about much convenience. However, we cannot deny the fact that science is indeed harmful and is no child's play. We have seen the dangers of nuclear bombs and car accidents, and these have brought about much discussion among the public as to whether we should take some measures against the development of science. But personally, I feel that whether science is helpful or harmful, it depends on how one uses it. And as science can be viewed as a tool for creating disastrous effects, I agree that science is a menace to civilisation.

Similar to Aldous Huxley’s novel Brave New World, science is portrayed as a dangerous weapon which does not promote a civilised society, but instead promotes a barbaric and savage society. Science, in the novel, is used for controlling the minds of humans as well as the configuration of their minds to match the different types of groups which have different purposes in life. Science has brought about the degrading of humans in society, making them more insignificant compared to marvellous inventions, taking away their rights as human beings, turning the society into a colder and more scary one as one day humans might be ruled by machines. And in today’s modern world, we have seen such negative effects whereby thousands of workers are left jobless as there are machines to replace them. Who knows, maybe one day robots will be the ones enjoying life while we humans will be those at their mercy. Therefore, civilisation is at stake, and we cannot blindly allow this to just pass, but we must take preventive measures against the development of science, or else it would be too late to regret when things go out of hand.

Science is also very harmful to civilisation as it is solely responsible for the cruel experimenting on animals. For the past many years, research on medicines have increased, and so has experimenting on animals. For the sake of humans, many times have scientists tested chemicals and drugs on animals such as rats, and worse still, it is still being done in today’s society. Thousands of rats have been sacrificed in such experiments, but we must recognise the fact that animals have feelings and emotions too, and what gives us the rights to abuse animal rights? Therefore, I am disgusted by the fact that science has been all along responsible for the torturing of animals in experiments, and definitely feel that this is a obstruction for civilisation.

However, it is important for us to know that science has played a major role in bringing about convenience and saving lives. Without it, we would most probably have been killed by viruses and become extinct long ago. Also, without science, we would still be acing like cavemen and hunting around like savages. Therefore, science is not totally a menace to civilisation.

Therefore, all in all, I still feel that science is more of a menace to civilisation instead of a beneficial tool. Despite the fact that science can change lives for the better, there is still a large risk that science will destroy lives if we do not use it properly. And is it really possible for people to entrust the responsibility of using science properly and safely to the scientists? Are they reliable? If anyone of the scientists from any country one day decides to use the nuclear bomb again, in that very moment, our fates are decided.