Essay: Science, the Cause of Human Suffering

Title : Science, the Cause of Human Suffering

Battlefield. Science was originally to conquer and harness the force of Nature for the good of man. It was considered to be the harbinger of all comfort, progress and prosperity. Today it is looked upon by some as the chief cause of our suffering. They have reasons to conclude that all is not well with science and its application. Pure science is a search for truth and as such no fault finding is possible with it. The position, however is different in regard to  the application of science the field of practical activity. History shows that the application of science has not always been governed by the principle of justice. Albert Einstein once said “Why does this magnificent applied science which saves work and makes life easier bring us so little happiness?” The simple answer runs; Because we have not yet learned to make sensible use of it.

The ’19th century witnessed the invention of steam locomotives. oil, engines and other machines, Consequently heavy industries of iron, coal and cloth came to set up. Production of things increased rapidly and their qualities improved a great deal. It was claimed that the physical labour was taken off the shoulders of man and shifted to machines.

But industrialism brought new troubles. It dealt a death-blow to cottage industry and the result was a large scale unemployment. It brought int.: being the tyranny of capital over labour. The rich gained much and the poor were exploited Strikes and lockouts became the order of the day. Application of machinery to the service of man resulted in more evil, than good. Even today, the condition are no better. There is discontentment and friction Prices are rising high and the buying power is lowering. There is plenty of misery, poverty starvation in the modern world. Search for raw, material and new markets became a cause of war.

The application of science in the social sphere also produced highly questionable results. The introduction of machinery gave a new a tempo to man’s life and activity. He became materialistic. Today, moral and ethical values of life are considered to be things of the past. The sanctity of joint family has been violated. Art and literature has come under the influence of mechanization. People have come to know new medicines and better surgical aid, but all that has not promoted a better standard of health. More food is grown but all is stored. Poverty and hunger have prevailed. Ignorance and disease still exist millions of dollars are spent on travel to the moon. Hurry and worry are eating away the modem man. Corruption and adulteration are the gifts of science. Life on the whole has become highly artificial

Science has done the greatest disservice to mankind in the field of armament. The invention of gun powder was hailed as a great achievement. But with the passage of time, it was perfected in hundred new weapons. Today artillery gunfire, shells and bombs have become a hellish (din) terror to every body. Atom bomb, Hydrogen bomb, Cobalt and Nitrogen bombs and various gases are very destructive powers:Inter continental missiles are weapons of devastation in the event of war. The third world war is sure to wipe off towns, countries and continents.

So modern man is more worried, more unhappy and poorer than his fellows in the past. New life is a drudgery for him and it i ill due to the wrong use of science.

Other titles of the above Essay:

• Disadvantages of Science
• Adverse Effects of Science on Human Life