Importance of Understanding Science

Scientific knowledge comprises a set of principles, theories and laws that allow us to understand the complexity of the world around us. Without the tools of science, the human being would find himself lost and surrounded by inexplicable realities.

The role of science in everyday life

In a first approximation to scientific knowledge, we find theories that are difficult to understand and that apparently have no direct relationship with our daily activities. This perception it is partially false, since science can be complex but it has an unquestionable role in our lives.

– We get up in the morning and listen to the radio to find out what the weather is going to be like and the information we receive comes from a branch of science, meteorology.

– We leave our house and get into a motor vehicle to go to our workplace and in this action we are interacting with the fundamental laws of combustion.

– At mid-morning we feel a headache and we take an analgesic to relieve the discomfort and said analgesic is effective because it contains an active ingredient that relieves pain.

– After eating we warm up a coffee in the microwave, an electrical device that works by electromagnetic waves that generate heat.

– At the end of the day we decided to shower with warm water, which is possible due to the thermal balance that occurs between hot and cold water.

– Finally we go to sleep and during sleep a certain electrical activity is activated in our brain.

The story of this imaginary journey reminds us that science cannot be separated from everyday life.

In short, science fulfills multiple functions:

1) combat ignorance,

2) provides solutions where there were problems before,

3) establishes limits between reliable knowledge and superstition and

4) initiates new paths for humanity to advance.

In other words, it eliminates uncertainties and provides certainties. If for some strange reason scientific knowledge disappeared, we would have no choice but to create a new science.

A knowledge to progress or to destroy

Like any other knowledge or discipline, science is not good or bad but its orientation It depends on the will of men. Thanks to this world of study, we have been able to cure diseases, learn about the universe, predict phenomena of the nature and eliminate all kinds of false beliefs.

Despite their undeniable achievements, scientific tools can also generate undesirable situations: destruction bombs, genetic manipulations contrary to the human rights or any other perverse procedure contrary to the most elementary ethical principles. Unfortunately, in these cases we are facing a perverse, manipulated use, and governed by economic interests and politicians who take advantage of advances in the worst possible way, even despite the arguments that may manifest. It is the most horrible face of human nature.

Images. Fotolia. Helen_F – Amili