Science+1

This week's wiki is due by 11:59 pm on Sunday, the 23rd. Use the quote below to help your discussion begin:


 * Science has made us gods even before we are worthy of being men. ~Jean Rostand **

M. Agundez- What does Rostand mean by "gods"? Is it being implied that because of science we know more about the world than we are supposed to?

N.Cuevas: Mr.Agundez, do you actually think that we know more about the world than we are suppose to? I think science gives humans just a part of the few things that we know, which is nothing.

M. Agundez: Ms. Cuevas, it is not the fact that i believe we know more about the world but the fact that through science we can achieve greater knowledge of what is here and thus can be considered "gods"

N.Cuevas: Is Rostand refering to nature's theory? I disagree, the environment is what influences individuals to be who they are.

A.Castaneda: I completely agree with Ms. Cuevas we have only achieved to learn not even half of the things in this world.

A.Castaneda: What I infer from this quote is that science has made us understand that we are already in a sense perfection since we are a piece of who created us, God, even way before we realize and value us as a true humn being. However, I state this because of my beliefs.

M.Gutierrez: I think that Rostand means that because of science we were and are able to do things that we were not able to do before we had the knowledge of science for example go to space. Although this statement is kind of vague because he doesn't define what a "man" is and what a god is.

M. Gutierrez:To Ms. Cuevas; what is nature's theory? And i do agree with the second half of your response to an extent because the enviornment does influences to be who we are but also the experiences and the people around us influences us too.

N.Cuevas: When I said nature theory i refered to the theories of nature/nurture.

J.Carvajal: Do we really know what the nature theory is?

L. Silva: Assuming that "gods" hold the power to controll everything about a certain element of the world, I believe Rostand is refering to the power we've obtained through science. We currently have the power, through scientific knowledge, to clone and alter the species of an animal, and hence he is implying we are playing the role of a god.

L. Silva: Can anyone explain to me what Rostand's definition of being a "man" is? Perhaps some traits in general?

G.Yanez: We, humans, through our scientific works, have created and discovered magnificent things, that's the reason we praise ourselves to the point that we believe ourselves as "Gods". On the other hand, our own creations make us not deserve to be man. Artifacts such the atomic bomb, or even any daily life product we have created that pollutes the planet, destroys nature, and harms ourselves but that we are not to give away because of the unreasonable pleasure it causes us, has earned us that reputation of not being worthy of being man. I believe that's what Rostand wants to say.

E.Tenort: For those confused to what he means by go read this other quote by him: **"Kill a man, one is a murderer; kill a million, a conqueror; kill them all, a God."** He is referring to the atom bomb in this quote and the one at the top; and how we have spent millions becoming "gods" before we spend money to help and understand our fellow man. By bettering humanity we earning the right to be called men. M.Getch: I think you are over simplifying this problem. Use of the atom bomb was ultimately a funded operation by the government. Scientists are not guilty of this, he is blaming science, not the men wielding it.

J.Carvajal: Ithink we should agree with mr.tenort

M.Getch: It should be stated that Rostand's comment comes purely from a cynical outlook. Although caution is imperative in the sciences (ask the physical chemists) progress is the point of science. We act to understand, or create. Scientists may create something destructive, but it is not them who seek to use it. If We truly want science to be implemented to aid, then that is where the men using the tools must put money. Most productive science is done in hopes that some group will throw some money at it, and unfortunately peaceful science simply does not pay.