Is Science Finished?

Dr. Kathryn Tian

Science has been consideredas “finished” for quite a few times in its history. Back to the Greek time,Aristotle applied the objective scientific methods of observation and reasoninto detailed science subjects. Because of the inherent weakness of the ancientscience, most of the “theories” were wrong. Although Aristotle himself did emphasize that his conclusions aboutthe physical world were merely provisional, his ideas were used by religion andpolitics and were regarded as the final decision about the world. Science wasfinished for 1000 years – the dark ages.

Science revived in the Italian Renaissance. Francis Bacon broughtforward the methods of systematic experimentation and induction, and hebelieved science should be applied to real life to improve people’s happiness: Descarteshighly emphasized the importance of mathematics and applied his deduction methodologyin the study of nature; Galileo was the first to practice the modern scientificmethods in his scientific research. These three great scientists set up themodern scientific methods and triggered the Scientific Revolutions. Sciencedeveloped dramatically in the Scientific Revolution. “Newton was thepre-eminent scientific intellect of the last millennium.” Martin Rees said.“His ideas, in mathematical from, allowed us to launch the first satellite,step onto the moon, navigate to the planets, and weigh and map the movements ofdistant planets, stars, and galaxies. Like the universal gravitation hediscovered, his mind reached to the edges of the universe, and brought order toeverything it touched. (Adler, 2002) People thought science has done its job,human mind has found the universal laws of the nature. But Newton said, “Thebusiness of natural philosophy is to argue from phenomena…and to deduce causesfrom effects till we come to the very first cause, which certainly is notmechanical.” Pretty soon, in 1905, Albert Einstein brought forward theRelativity Theory. Science continued to develop and was not finished.

The discoveries in basic science enabled the development in appliedscience and the emergence of technology. In the Industrial Revolution, sciencewent into people’s life; and because of this, scientists started to have socialresponsibilities. Newton’s motto was “My best friend is truth.” It was a pitythough, “The traditional image of science as a quest for pure knowledge and ofscientists as isolated, dedicated and free seekers of truth, oblivious to theuses to which their discoveries can be put, is no longer valid……Increasingly,science has become ‘industrialized’ and it becomes more and more difficult tothink of it as the disinterested, value-free pursuit of truth its practitionersonce claimed it to be.” (Boyle, 1984) The “sanctity” of science is finished.

The atomic bomb shocked the whole world. “End of the century, end ofinnocence: science is surely no stranger to the threats besetting our world.But not the end of history: the end of innocence for science does not mean thedemise of history which, on the contrary, is being revitalized by the entirelynew setting create before our eyes by scientific and technological progress.” (Salomon,2001) Science is not finished, it is maturing; that is just like a baby growinginto a teenager. Science is more and more complex and powerful. We need toregulate science so that we can use science wisely for the benefit of mankind.Political and international control are important for some cases. We mustregulate science to make sure it is growing healthily.

It is basically impossible for us to predict the future science, butfor sure science will keep on developing, because “Natura enim non nisi parendovincitur.” “At first men try with magic charm to fertilize the earth, to keeptheir flocks and herds from harm and bring new young to birth. Then tocapricious gods they turn to save from fire or flood; their smoking sacrificesburn on altars red with blood. Next bold philosopher and sage a settled plandecree and prove by thought or sacred page what nature ought to be. But Naturesmiles-a Sphinx-like smile-Watching their little day, she waits in patience fora while-their plans dissolve away. Then come those humbler men of heart with nocompleted scheme, content to play a modest part, to test, observe, and dream,till out chaos come in sight clear fragments of a whole; Man, learning Nature’sways aright, obeying, can control. The changing pattern glows afar; but yet itsshifting scenes reveal not what the pieces are, nor what the puzzle means. AndNature smiles – still unconfessed, the secret thought she thinks-Inscrutableshe guards unguessed, the Riddle of the Sphinx.” (Dampier, 1948) Exploringnature is an unending journey for human being.