[Points: Roots of progress—in food supply—in home life—in communication—in health—artificial satellites and rockets—abuse of science.]
At first man was little better than an animal. As reason developed in him, he began to make discoveries and inventions to make life more and more comfortable. It is science that is at the root of this progress.
Let us first take the case of food, the most essential of all things. Primitive people did not know how to grow food. Gradually people learnt to cultivate lands with the plough drawn, by bullocks. But science has been teaching them how to produce more and better crops at lesser labour with the help of tractors and improved manures. Scientists are trying to grow food even in deserts. They have dis covered various substitute foods. The population of the world has been increasing steadily, and but for these achievements, there would have been chronic famines in many places.
Science has made 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 our forefathers had to go through. In the rich countries of the West, there are many other labour-saving gadgets (small machinery) in almost every house. Science has given us improved methods of transport and communication. Formerly there were only bullock carts and boats. Now we have railways, steamships, motor cars, aeroplanes, etc. These have enabled us to travel even to the farthest end of the world within a very short time in comfort and safety. Science has given us the printed book which is our main source of knowledge. The telegraph, the telephone, and the radio, TV, have made communication quick and safe. In fact, all these have brought the world nearer our homes.
Science has also greatly helped the improvement of health. We have now good medicines for many diseases which were so fatal only a few years back. Modern surgery also has been doing wonders in the surgical field. Scientists have succeeded in sending up artificial satellites and have already landed on the Moon and expect to reach Mars within a short time.
All these are wonders of science and we do not know what further wonders will be achieved by it in future. But it is to be deeply regretted that the power of science is being used for evil purposes also. We all know how books are used for propaganda purposes, what damage and destruction were caused by aeroplanes in Europe and how whole cities were wiped out by atom bombs in Japan during the last World War. We also know what a mad race is going on for the production of deadlier weapons of destruction. This is certainly deplorable. But that is the abuse of science, and because a good thing is abused, the thing itself is not to blame. In fact, there is no good thing that cannot be abused. We should use science only for the good of mankind.
