Science has indubitably brought humankind many benefits and has led us on the path of progress. From the scientific progress in the seventeenth century to the modern-day, there have been many discoveries that have shaped humankind and elevated our standards of living. It is not a far stretch to argue that science has become revered and respected to a large extent. Although there are some aspects of science which prevent it from being fully revered, it is true to argue that science has, to a large extent, become man’s religion, both ethically and socially.
In today’s modern society, we have developed a sense of idolatry and reverence toward science because of the massive benefits we can garner from scientific discoveries. According to Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, “We live in the best of all possible worlds.” Science plays an essential role in the modern world, by elevating our standards of living, and thus, making it “the best” of all possible worlds. Essentially, science seeks to improve our life and open up new possibilities for humankind. For example, Edison’s invention of the light bulb has provided us with countless possibilities. The use of science in the invention of tools and technology has also made science seem indispensable for most of us, as these tools and technology form a part of our everyday lives. Moreover, even the corporate world has embraced science, making science itself perverse in today’s world through commercial advertising. With science forming an integral part of our lives, it is true to argue that science has become man’s religion, as science is perceived by most with a sense of reverence and idolatry for its benefits and pervasive nature in our daily lives. [reverence and idolatry not fully elaborated.]
Science also re-defines our core values and ethics by challenging them. Science has brought many controversies, some of which are [sp]incompatiable with long-held societal beliefs. Hence, science has the inane[_1] ability to break social barriers. The ongoing controversy of legalizing euthanasia is a prime example. Euthanasia, or the assisted killing of terminal patients, has caused detractors of science to write it off as deeply unethical, as it prompts humans to play God. This challenges us to confront the long-entrenched idea of our right over our life and the choice we have in deciding how we want to die. Thus, science has seemingly taken on a similar role of religion, by compelling us to embrace new ideas and values. Certain countries in the world have legalised euthanasia as it promises a death of dignity for such terminal patients. Hence, science also enables us to be a more open society, by breaking social conventions and barriers through its ability to challenge our own beliefs. It is not a far stretch to argue that science has in fact become Man’s religion[_2] , instilling values in us by challenging old ones. Moreover, these new values are not ones which make us more inhumane, but only challenge us to be open to the possibilities introduced by science.
Science also provides humankind with hope and security. Through science, medical technology has vastly improved, allowing many diseases to be cured. Pandemics can also be contained, or fully stopped, through medical science. Victims of rape or incest can also turn to abortion, which undeniably offers them a sense of security and hope for their future. Thus, like religion, science indubitably gives hope to humankind. In the developing world, for example, science is seen as a messiah, which can elevate their living standards and eradicate their poverty. Hence, science is a great liberator of hope and a haven for most people. Thus, science has, to a large extent, become Man’s religion, as it is revered for its ability to provide hope for humankind[_3] .
Media also plays an influential role in making science Man’s religion in the modern world. Mass media, including television and radio, as well as new media, especially the Internet, are largely responsible for commercialising science and bringing scientific ideas to the common man on the street. Scientific products are advertised and sold by companies through media. Information about scientific breakthroughs is also disseminated through media to the masses. Thus, the average Joe is more informed about science, allowing him to truly understand science and its functions in society. The power of media in disseminating scientific information to the masses is illustrated in how media popularised the flawed theory by Dr. Wakefield that the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine leads to autism in children, and resulted in huge numbers of parents stopping the use of the vaccine for their children. This ultimately resulted in a large increase in the abovementioned diseases among young children. While, in this case, media was partly responsible for the unfortunate results, we should remember that we cannot blame media, in the same way we cannot accuse a gun of murder. Media is simply a disseminator of scientific information put forward by scientists. Thus, in this light, media has definitely played an essential role in bringing science to the common man on the street, and allowing science to be treated with true understanding and reverence.
However, while the West sees science in a revered light, the same cannot be said for Eastern countries, where scientific progress has, more or less, stagnated and other elements, such as religion and core values, take precedence over scientific ideas. Most Eastern countries tend to be inward-looking, rather than outward, and hence, are more resistant to new ideas, compared to their more liberal counterparts. Thus, these Eastern countries do not see science as an integral and an all-important part of their lives, unlike in the West, where the clear dichotomy between science and other elements makes science itself more revered. As science is interwoven into many aspects of life for Eastern countries, the lack of dichotomy between science and other elements makes science seem less important, in comparison to Western countries.
Detractors of science also argue that science itself is amoral, unlike religion. While scientific studies aim to improve our lives, the scientific path may also lead to the violation of many fundamental rights. For example, testing animals with chemicals is a gross violation of animal rights, and is more so when such testing is done for commercial purposes. Science has thus enabled commercial companies to use scientific methods to sell their goods or make them more profitable through such cruel ways. Josef Mengele, a scientist during the Holocaust, used science in the most horrific way, forcing conjoining between children and running torturous experiments on prisoners to find out how to create a perfect Aryan race. By the coldest and cruelest scientific argument, his deeds are unpunishable. However, in any ethical humane argument, he is a murderer and a cruel violator of human life. Hence, it cannot be argued fully that science has become Man’s religion, as there are some aspects of science which are totally unethical and degrade our own morality and humanity.
[_1]Inane means lack of sense or being silly or pointless. Wrong use of vocab. I think you mean INATE.
[_2]What is the purpose of religion? Does it instil values in us by challenging old ones? You need to focus on the key characteristics of religion and how they manifest themselves in science.
[_3]Good place to show the role of science in the third world.