National Science Week in Australia in 2007 is August 18th to 26th, and "The
Age" has supplemented its Education insert with an "All about Science"
summary.
Whether it is "all" of science which is covered is debatable; certainly it
is about various aspects of science, and provides interesting reading.
What is Science? By definition it is knowledge, and knowledge of the
natural world. Indeed, it can be claimed to be the only sure knowledge we
have. Religion is dogmatic, and Philosophy is speculative, but only Science
is empirical and goes solely by the evidence.
The Method of Science is at its core, but rarely gets a mention; yet is an
extension of the trial-and-error process which many other species use in
their adaptation to their environment.
To that same end, the current crisis of Climate Change challenges us -
adapt, or perish.
The History of Science is also instructive, and not only the famous
scientists of the past should rate a comment, but the various theories of
the past, valid or invalid.
Then there is History itself - are there many histories, or only one, ie.
that which accords with one set of facts (even if partially interpreted by
many)?
What of Forensic Science? Sherlock Holmes is a good example of the
inductive and deductive, experimental scientist. He was willing to take
action, unlike his cleverer brother, Mycroft, who could not be bothered to
act, but preferred to try and solve all by pure mental power - which has its
limits.
Science, it can be claimed, can provide a basis for Ethics, as "humans are
social animals", and this gregariousness is the basis of all moral conduct.
A universe inhabited by a lone God has no need of ethics, as it wouldn't
matter what God did. But a pantheon of gods and goddesses is a different
scenario.
This Natural World of sense-perception might ultimately be an "illusion",
but it is common to all of us, and can be proven within its own parameters.
Any inner "spiritual" world has no commonality, at lest to "outsiders", and
fails on that score.
"Natural Philosophy" is more than mere Nature Studies, or Technology, and
should be central to any education process.
Even Economics is, or should be, influenced by Science, as this Planet
Earth has limited resources and these should be "economically" used, not
plundered recklessly. Other Species should be treated with respect, as we
can't be sure how much Homo Sapiens depends, ultimately, on them.
Nature recycles everything, and so should we - chimneys and motor vehicles
shouldn't belch waste gases, but recycle them, somehow. Waste=Zero is the
aim.
A National Science Week is good if it draws attention to Science and its
importance to us all. But when the Week is over, it shouldn't necessarily
be "business as usual".

Archived from group: aus>science