development of science and its impact on society - National Centre ...

These are not my words. These are notthe exact words <strong>of</strong> Henrick Casimir, , as Iam quoting from memory.Who was Casimir? ? You may not haveheard his name. Casimir was adistinguished Dutch TheoreticalPhysicist who was head <strong>of</strong> R <strong>and</strong> Ddivision <strong>of</strong> Dutch multinational Philipselectric company for several years.

Philips is a well known name in Pakistan,even in villages – where people buyPhilips electric bulb <strong>and</strong> electric tube-lights.One would not expect a layman to knowany name besides an electric companywhich has supplied him the end productsin the form <strong>of</strong> appliances which he canuse in variety <strong>of</strong> ways provided he canafford them. Technology hardly effectsthe lives <strong>of</strong> those who are below a certaineconomic threshold.

Science not only provides a base formodern technology but it is also a part <strong>of</strong>human culture. How we define culture?One may say; Anything which enricheshuman civilization, because <strong>of</strong> <strong>its</strong> intrinsicvalue falls in the domain <strong>of</strong> culture.Philosophy, art, literature <strong>and</strong> music,mathematics <strong>and</strong> basic <strong>science</strong>s are part<strong>of</strong> our cultural heritage. They generatesocial capital. Social capital

(Terrestrial Gravity). He challenged theauthority <strong>of</strong> Church <strong>and</strong> came decisively infavor <strong>of</strong> heliocentric (Copernican(Copernican) ) system.This brought him in trouble with theChurch which regarded the earth as thecentre <strong>of</strong> the Universe (Ptolemic(scheme).Galileo became victim <strong>of</strong> biogatory in Italy.

Berchet wrote a play about Galileo. . I nowquote one scene from this play to illustratethree aspects <strong>of</strong> <strong>science</strong> <strong>and</strong> how they areappreciatedOccasion: Invention <strong>of</strong> telescope by GalileoCurator: (in in his best chamber–<strong>of</strong><strong>of</strong>– commercemanner)

Gentlemen: Our Republic is to becongratulated not only because thisnew acquisition will be one morefeather in the cap <strong>of</strong> Veniation culture(Polite applause) not only because ourown Mr. Galilei has generously h<strong>and</strong>edthis fresh product <strong>of</strong> his teeming brainentirely over to you to manufacture asmany <strong>of</strong> these salable articles as youplease – (considerable applause but,considerable applause) – but,

Gentleman <strong>of</strong> the senate, has itoccurred to you that – with the help <strong>of</strong>this remarkable new instrument – thebattle fleet <strong>of</strong> the enemy will be visibleto us as full two hours before we arevisible to him? (tremendous applause)Three aspects <strong>of</strong> <strong>science</strong>: value, price<strong>and</strong> security are appreciated in reverseorder. In this respect we are not behind,but a step ahead.

I now discuss evolution <strong>of</strong> Physics <strong>and</strong> <strong>its</strong><strong>impact</strong> on society.Greeks made remarkable contributions tohuman civilization. They invented,philosophy, mathematics <strong>and</strong> <strong>science</strong>:They introduced Deductive method. Fromaxioms which they regarded as a priori,they deduced results in a self consistentmanner. Euclidean geometry is oneexample <strong>of</strong> mathematics, which theyinvented. For them, pure thought wasmuch superior than work with h<strong>and</strong>s.

Between ancient <strong>and</strong> modernEuropean civilization, the dark agesintervened. Muslims <strong>and</strong> Byzantinespreserved the apparatus <strong>of</strong> civilization.From the 12 th century to 17 th century,Ibn Sina was used as a guide tomedicine. Ibn Rushd was moreimportant to Christian than in Muslimphilosophy.

From arithmetics (numbers) whichoriginated in India, , a transition toalgebra was made in Muslim era(Khawarizmi, Al Baruni <strong>and</strong> OmarKhyam). All these men were dead endfor Muslim civilization but for Christiancivilization, they were beginning. In theWest, the access to Greek knowledgecame through Muslims. AlthoughMuslims were better experimentaliststhan Greeks, they did not go beyondobservations.

In general, they did not deduce scientificprinciples from observations. At the mostthey deduced empirical laws from them.They were more interested in practicalapplications rather than building ascientific edifice. . To build a scientificedifice, it is essential to go beyondexisting thought. The ruling class was notprepared to tolerate any thought whichwould have initiated departure from theorthodoxy prevalent at that time.

European also passed through a similarperiod, but they came out <strong>of</strong> it byevolving into liberal democracies.Bertr<strong>and</strong> Russell has called the 17 thcentury the century <strong>of</strong> <strong>science</strong>.Not only in this century the foundation <strong>of</strong>mechanics <strong>and</strong> astronomy were laid(Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler & Newton)but some <strong>of</strong> the tools necessary formaking the scientific observations wereinvented: Compound microscope (1590),Telescope (1608), Air pump, improvedclocks, thermometer <strong>and</strong> barometer.

Remarkable progress was made inmathematics: Napier logarithm (1614),Differential <strong>and</strong> integral calculus (Newton<strong>and</strong> Leibniz),coordinate Geometry(Descartes). These discoveries inmathematics laid the foundation <strong>of</strong> highermathematics in later years. It isremarkable that these discoveries weremade by persons who were men <strong>of</strong> faith:

they never believed that their discoverieswere in conflict with their religious beliefs.Nevertheless their discoveries implicitlyimplied that <strong>science</strong> <strong>and</strong> religion shouldnot be mingled with each other. Theirdiscoveries laid the foundation <strong>of</strong> a newconcept that: natural phenomena can beunderstood by observation <strong>and</strong> rationalthinking without invoking the divine will.Magic <strong>and</strong> superstition became things <strong>of</strong>the past.

There is no space for an authority in<strong>science</strong>; all laws deduced fromobservations are tentative subject tomodification or change with new data.Theories are accepted by consensus.This is what Neils Bohr called a republic<strong>of</strong> <strong>science</strong>. It gave a new concept <strong>of</strong>man’s s place in the universe. It wasrealized that inequalities between humanbeings (excluding the congenitaldifferences) are product <strong>of</strong>circumstances.

Circumstances can be changed througheducation, it opens up new ways to utilizeinnate potentiality.To build a scientific edifice both concepts<strong>and</strong> tools are needed. From the regularities<strong>and</strong> pattern deduced from observations,concepts are formed which are thenexpressed as physical laws in amathematical idiom. Precise measurementrequires constant improvement in scientifictools. The interplay <strong>of</strong> intellect <strong>and</strong>craftsmanship is hallmark <strong>of</strong> scientificprogress.

The industrial revolution began at theend <strong>of</strong> eighteenth century with theinvention <strong>of</strong> steam engine. Theindustrial revolution preceded <strong>science</strong><strong>of</strong> thermodynamics which wasdeveloped in the nineteenth century.Most <strong>of</strong> the concepts beyondmechanics were developed in 19thCentury.

Thermodynamics is governed by two laws,called the first law <strong>and</strong> the second law.“The energy <strong>of</strong> the world is constant <strong>and</strong><strong>its</strong> entropy strives towards amaximum.” Statistical interpretation <strong>of</strong>the second law was one <strong>of</strong> the greatadvances <strong>of</strong> the 19 th century(Boltzman).

Increase <strong>of</strong> entropy is linked to increase<strong>of</strong> disorder which is irreversible.The irreversibility <strong>of</strong> evolution inbiosphere is an expression <strong>of</strong> secondlaw. A simple mutation such assubstitution <strong>of</strong> one letter in DNA codefor another is reversible. However for anappreciable evolution great manymutations successively accumulated atr<strong>and</strong>om;

ecause <strong>of</strong> independent events thatproduce them, is irreversible.Also in 19 th century two great conceptualrevolutions associated with Darwin (theory<strong>of</strong> evolution) ) <strong>and</strong> Maxwell (unification <strong>of</strong>electricity <strong>and</strong> magnetism) ) took place.Electric environment is man made. Innature, electricity is seen in lightening.Certain stones called magnetite exhibitmagnetic properties.

Nothing seems to be common betweenthem. Basic laws governingelectromagnetic phenomena wereformulated (Coulomb,(Ampere, Faraday)in 19 th century. Faraday’s law <strong>of</strong>electromagnetic induction is a discovery <strong>of</strong>great importance as it made possible togenerate electricity directly frommechanical energy. Electric energy has agreat advantage that it can be transportedto homes <strong>and</strong> is used in numerous ways.We live in an environment created byelectricity.

Maxwell expressed the basic laws <strong>of</strong>electromagnetism in terms <strong>of</strong> fourdifferential equations. These equationsencompass the whole <strong>of</strong> electromagneticphenomena.A consequence <strong>of</strong> Maxwell’s equationsis that electric <strong>and</strong> magnetic fieldspropagate through space as waves withspeed <strong>of</strong> light. Hertz experimentallydemonstrated the existence <strong>of</strong>electromagnetic waves.

His work gave stimulus for practicalapplications <strong>of</strong> Maxwell’s equations. Thisis how electronic communication was born.One <strong>of</strong> the far reaching <strong>impact</strong> <strong>of</strong>Maxwell’s equations is to give birth to apowerful tool in the form <strong>of</strong> electronicmedia for entertainment, to shape opinion<strong>of</strong> people for political aims or ideologicalindoctrination or for marketing <strong>of</strong> productsespecially by multinationals.

Never in the history <strong>of</strong> physics, suchan abrupt <strong>and</strong> unanticipated transitiontook place as during the decade 1895- 1905. Roentgens discovered X-rays Xin 1895.Radioactivity was discoveredby Becquerel in 1896. In 1897, J.J.Thomson discovered electron - thefirst elementary particle. OnDecember 14, 1900, Max Planck putforward the idea <strong>of</strong> quantum:

The emission <strong>and</strong> absorption <strong>of</strong> radiationfrom an atom take place in discreteamounts that he latter called quanta. . Thediscovery <strong>of</strong> atomic nucleus wasannounced by Rutherford in 1911.Neutron was discovered by Chadwick in1932. Radioactivity is the only nuclearphenomenon which is found on earth.Nuclear environment exists in star. Withthe <strong>development</strong> <strong>of</strong> nuclear reactors <strong>and</strong>nuclear weapons an environment iscreated by human beings, which is naturalin stars.

The <strong>development</strong> <strong>of</strong> nuclear energy <strong>and</strong>nuclear weapons <strong>of</strong> mass destructionhave left a strong mark on modern society.The birth <strong>of</strong> quantum theory (1900) <strong>and</strong>relativity theory (1905) marked thebeginning <strong>of</strong> an era in which foundation <strong>of</strong>physical theory needed revision.Transition from Newtonian mechanics tospecial theory <strong>and</strong> general theory <strong>of</strong>relativity was smooth. Maxwell’s s equationsare consistent with the theory <strong>of</strong> relativity.

But Newtonian mechanics is notcompatible with the special theory <strong>of</strong>relativity; when it is made compatible withthe special theory, one gets Einstein'sfamous equation E = mc 2 . Anotherconsequence <strong>of</strong> special theory was timedilation i.e. moving clocks are sloweddown. The general theory <strong>of</strong> relativity isconcerned with gravity. In this theory,Einstein unified gravity with geometry.

But the transition to quantum theory wasnot smooth. It was like a revolution. As ina revolution, there is a period <strong>of</strong> turmoil<strong>and</strong> it takes some time to restore a neworder; this was also the case for quantumrevolution.

New order was established by Heisenbergwith his discovery <strong>of</strong> Matrix Mechanics in1925 <strong>and</strong> by Schrödingerby his wavemechanics a little bit latter. By unifyingspecial theory <strong>of</strong> relativity with quantummechanics, Dirac predicted the existence<strong>of</strong> antimatter.Determinism <strong>of</strong> classical mechanics isreplaced by uncertainty principle i.e. whenevents are examined closely, uncertaintyprevails; cause <strong>and</strong> effect becomedisconnected;

causal relations hold for probabilities; wavesare particles <strong>and</strong> particles are waves; matterantimatter are created <strong>and</strong> destroyed (vacuumpolarization); chance guides what happens.The unification <strong>of</strong> terrestrial <strong>and</strong> celestial gravityby Newton; the unification <strong>of</strong> electricity <strong>and</strong>magnetism by Maxwell; the unification <strong>of</strong>geometry with gravity <strong>of</strong> Einstein, the unification<strong>of</strong> special theory <strong>of</strong> relativity with quantummechanics by Dirac were hallmark <strong>of</strong> physics.In the same context the unification <strong>of</strong>electromagnetism

with radioactivity was achieved byGlashow, Salam <strong>and</strong> Weinberg in late1960’s s with prediction <strong>of</strong> a new kind <strong>of</strong>weak current called the neutral weakcurrent, , subsequently discoveredexperimentally in 1978. This unificationalso predicted the existence <strong>of</strong> massiveweak vector bosons called W ± , Z 0 whichmediate the weak force (responsible forradioactivity). W <strong>and</strong> Z bosons arepartners <strong>of</strong> photon (quantum <strong>of</strong>electromagnetic field which is mass less<strong>and</strong> mediates the electromagnetic force).

Weak bosons were experimentally discovered inearly 1980 at CERN Geneva.We conclude the evolution <strong>of</strong> <strong>science</strong> with followingremarks.• Unlike goal oriented project;• Basic research is an unending project;• Going from one generation to another generation;• It is shared by whole mankind;• No state has sovereignty over it;• No sovereignty – no conflict• Enhances our vision• Gives both humility <strong>and</strong> pride

C.P. Snow in his book “Two Cultures”divides the industrial revolution inthree phases. The first phase whichbegan with the invention <strong>of</strong> steamengine at the end <strong>of</strong> 18th Centurywas mainly created by h<strong>and</strong>y men asC.P. Snow calls them. In the secondphase <strong>of</strong> industrial revolution:chemistry played a major role. Giantchemical companies were establishedin Europe <strong>and</strong> USA.

In the third phase <strong>of</strong> industrial revolutionatomic particles like electrons, neutrons,nuclei <strong>and</strong> atoms played a crucial role.This revolution is based on physics <strong>of</strong>20 th Century. The birth <strong>of</strong> quantumtheory in the 20 th century had atremendous <strong>impact</strong> on future<strong>development</strong>.

It is hard to imagine that withoutquantum mechanics, transistors,computer chips <strong>and</strong> lasers would havebeen invented.Physicist Freeman Dyson calls thefourth phase <strong>of</strong> revolution tool drivenrevolution. Scientists develop newtools <strong>and</strong> computer s<strong>of</strong>tware.

The craftsmanship used in their tools mayinitiate new technologies. Two examples:X-rays <strong>and</strong> nuclear magnetic resonance⇒ computed Axial Tomography (CAT),Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).The(scanning technology revolutionizeddiagnostic techniques in medicine. It mayalso lead to some l<strong>and</strong>mark discoveries inbasic <strong>science</strong>s. A prime example is theuse <strong>of</strong> X-rays Xcrystallography to studybiological molecules.

Such a study lead Crick <strong>and</strong> Watson tounfold the structure <strong>of</strong> DNA – the geneticcode-perhaps the greatest discovery inbiology after Darwin.The subsequent <strong>development</strong>s in DNAtesting, genetic engineering <strong>and</strong>bioinformatics had made an enormous<strong>impact</strong> on human society. Another exampleis the World Wide Web (www) developedat CERN for basic research, which hasrevolutionized the information technology.

On the other h<strong>and</strong> tremendous progressin space technology has been used toput the probe in outer space to study thestructure <strong>of</strong> universe.We conclude that <strong>science</strong> has not onlymade an enormous <strong>impact</strong> on humanintellect but has also drastically changedhuman living.Scientific discoveries are beautiful butscientific inventions can be good or bad.

There is no doubt that <strong>science</strong> <strong>and</strong> technologyhave made remarkable contributions to raisethe st<strong>and</strong>ard <strong>of</strong> living <strong>and</strong> to improve thequality <strong>of</strong> life. But it has also increased the gapbetween the rich <strong>and</strong> the poor. While on oneh<strong>and</strong> tremendous progress in the medical<strong>science</strong>, immunology <strong>and</strong> drugs had alleviatedthe human sufferings <strong>and</strong> has increased thespan <strong>of</strong> life; on the other h<strong>and</strong> it has increasedthe destructive power <strong>of</strong> man in the form <strong>of</strong>weapons <strong>of</strong> mass destruction.

British historian Hobsbawn calls the 20 thcentury, the age <strong>of</strong> extremes. A century <strong>of</strong>unprecedented progress <strong>and</strong>unprecedented destruction <strong>and</strong> killing. Itwitnessed the best <strong>of</strong> <strong>science</strong> in terms <strong>of</strong>two conceptual revolutions viz special <strong>and</strong>general theory <strong>of</strong> relativity <strong>and</strong> quantummechanics, the discovery <strong>of</strong> structure <strong>of</strong>DNA <strong>and</strong> tremendous progress in medical<strong>science</strong>.

In this century we witnessed the culmination <strong>of</strong>domestication <strong>of</strong> technology in terms <strong>of</strong> internet,computer games <strong>and</strong> mobile phones.The culmination <strong>of</strong> three hundred years <strong>of</strong> <strong>science</strong>in the forms <strong>of</strong> weapons <strong>of</strong> mass destruction wasthe worst <strong>of</strong> <strong>science</strong>. A new nation was born <strong>and</strong>militarization <strong>of</strong> space in the last century- a nationthat dwell in total silence. Scottish writer Gil Elliotcalls it a nation <strong>of</strong> dead. He estimates <strong>its</strong>population to be 110 million- a fully cosmopolitannation (Richard Rhodes: The Making <strong>of</strong> AtomicBomb: Epilogue). It was created by man-mademadeweapons.

Excessive use <strong>of</strong> technology hasincreased the industrial pollution. Thisposes a long term threat to naturalenvironment which would effect thequality <strong>of</strong> life. Science by <strong>its</strong>elf doesnot guarantee the genuine progress,though it is one <strong>of</strong> ingredient for theprogress. Social capital is needed forsynthesis <strong>of</strong> society: to narrow the gapbetween the rich <strong>and</strong> the poor.

It took millions <strong>of</strong> years for biological evolutionthrough natural selection. Evolution in thebiosphere is necessarily irreversible process.Changes in the form <strong>of</strong> society, in ideas, intools, new ways to utilize innate potentialitiesare salient features <strong>of</strong> social evolution. Thesechanges are steady, appreciable changesoccur over a period <strong>of</strong> time. Time scale forsocial evolution is much smaller than that forthe biological evolution. Is social evolutionreversible?

We do not have second law for sociosphere although social structure is alsocomplex. History tells us that any greatcivilization which has decayed hasnever come back in <strong>its</strong> original form.Those who dream to regain lost glory<strong>and</strong> do not want to go above the pastare defying the history.

P. R. Mooney in an article (in theDevelopment Dialogue 1999,published by Dag HammerskjoldFoundation) ) has expressed theviewpoint that 21 st century will be theETC century. ETC st<strong>and</strong>s for Erosion,Technological Transformation <strong>and</strong>Corporate Concentration.Erosion includes not only geneticerosion <strong>and</strong> erosion <strong>of</strong> species, soils,<strong>and</strong> atmosphere– also the erosion <strong>of</strong>

knowledge <strong>and</strong> global erosion <strong>of</strong> equitablerelation.Technology means new technologies such asbiotechnology, nanotechnology, informatics<strong>and</strong> neuro<strong>science</strong>.Concentration describes the re-organization<strong>of</strong> economic power into the h<strong>and</strong>s <strong>of</strong> high-tech global oligopolies.Recent trends indicate that some <strong>of</strong> hisobservations may come through.

“ Man, above <strong>and</strong> beyond his biologicalaspects, has mind <strong>and</strong> spirit ------ that he iscapable <strong>of</strong> selective evolution ----- <strong>and</strong> hatas a knowing creature he can use his tools<strong>of</strong> experience, mind, <strong>and</strong> spirit to shape hisexistence <strong>and</strong> determine his destiny.”(Sir Julian Huxley)