[Points; Introduction—achievements of science in (i) family comfort, (ii) transport and communication, (iii) improvement of health—why a curse.]
At first man was no better than an animal. He was completely at the mercy of the forces of nature and lived in constant fear of other creatures stronger than he. But now he has become the lord of creation. It is science that has given him this power. With it he has been in venting new things to acquire greater and greater power to make life more enjoyable.
Indeed, wonderful are the achievements of science. It has taught man to grow food and make home-life comfortable and enjoyable. The electric light and fan, the electric cooker, the refrigerator, etc. have freed life of much of the drudgery and discomfort of our fore fathers. Railways, steamships, motor cars, aeroplanes etc. have enabled us to travel from one end of the earth to the other within a very short time in comfort and safety. The telegraph, the telephone, and the radio have made communication quick and safe. Science has given us the printed book which is our main source of knowledge. Science has also given us good medicines for many diseases which were so fatal only a few years back. Modern surgery also has been working wonders in the surgical field. Scientists have succeeded in sending up artificial satellites, and have already landed on the Moon and
Expect to reach the Mars within a short time. for But in spite of these achievements of science, thinking people have begun to question if it is really a blessing or a curse. We all know how power of science is being used for evil purpose also. It is superior scientific knowledge that makes one nation stronger than another and helps the former to oppress the latter. Indeed it is this disparity that is at the root of all the rivalries among the different peoples of the world. And what fearful consequences have followed from this feelings-all the wars in history with their tales of wholesale destruction, plunder and famine. Not content with individual killings. man is applying science to invent deadlier weapons for mass killings. Aeroplanes bomb whole cities out of existence,-the atom bomb, the hydrogen bomb, poison gas, chemical warfare-what a horrible application of science! And we know also how books are used for propaganda purpose to poison men's mind.
Faustus, the great scholar of German legends, bartered away his soul to Satan for twenty four years of unrestricted power and repented when it was too late. In our case too, science has cost us the soul in our mad pursuit of material prosperity. But as the soul is infinitely more important than the body, thinking men have begun to look upon science as a curse, a lure to hell. So has been raised the cry of 'back to Nature" when people enjoyed greater peace and contentment in their simple souls.
