In the article “Science and Human Values,” Joseph Rotblat advocates that scientists should be extremely concerned with the ethical consequences of their work. He maintains the belief that while the purpose of science is to expand human knowledge, it is critical that the general public understands that scientific research has much to do with the welfare of individuals and state politics. However, an analysis of this article will reveal that the ethical responsibility that scientists have should not deter them from their quest to expand our understanding of the universe. When examining “Science and Human Values,” it is critical that the level of practicality should be considered when suggesting ways to ensure scientists truly understand their
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Moreover, he claims that every citizen of the world has to be accountable for his or her deeds, and this is particularly true for scientists, due to their extreme influence they have on modern society. He emphasizes that scientists are humans first, and scientists second, and for Rotblat, the rationale behind this truth is made clear when examining what he claims is the purpose of science itself—the pursuit of furthering human knowledge about the universe. But what is the benefit of expanding human knowledge, if it results in the killing of others, degrading human life or ideas, or simply expanding the knowledge of only a select few? In this respect, Rotblat adds that the purpose of science should contain “an element of utility, namely, benefit to the human community.” In order to ensure scientists fully understand their social responsibility to the general public of pursuing knowledge in an ethical manner, Rotblat offers some measures that can be taken to better safeguard against some of science’s unintended consequences, such measures as implementing a scientific variation of the Hippocratic Oath taken by doctors, or the development of additional ethical committees to better evaluate scientific research, and finally abolishing the secrecy that is commonly found in scientific communities surrounding recent scientific
Moreover, he claims that every citizen of the world has to be accountable for his or her deeds, and this is particularly true for scientists, due to their extreme influence they have on modern society. He emphasizes that scientists are humans first, and scientists second, and for Rotblat, the rationale behind this truth is made clear when examining what he claims is the purpose of science itself—the pursuit of furthering human knowledge about the universe. But what is the benefit of expanding human knowledge, if it results in the killing of others, degrading human life or ideas, or simply expanding the knowledge of only a select few? In this respect, Rotblat adds that the purpose of science should contain “an element of utility, namely, benefit to the human community.” In order to ensure scientists fully understand their social responsibility to the general public of pursuing knowledge in an ethical manner, Rotblat offers some measures that can be taken to better safeguard against some of science’s unintended consequences, such measures as implementing a scientific variation of the Hippocratic Oath taken by doctors, or the development of additional ethical committees to better evaluate scientific research, and finally abolishing the secrecy that is commonly found in scientific communities surrounding recent scientific