Advances in science and technology: enriching or endangering humanity?

The advancement of science and technology has greatly benefited human life, but it has also created side effects and risks. The ethical use of science and technology is important because it depends on human values and moral judgment.

 

In the movie Minority Report, there is a scene in which prophets prevent murders by predicting future murders. Not only are prophecies used, but the prophetic scenes are reconstructed by science and technology, and investigators use various high-tech equipment to catch the criminals. If such technology were applied in real life, we might be able to live in a crime-free world. However, in this movie, Lamar Vegas, the inventor of the crime prevention system, abuses the system to cover up his own murder. The movie ends with Bezes tragically committing suicide after all his secrets are revealed by Anderton. The technology designed to prevent murder ends up becoming a means to an end.
The development of technology to predict and prevent crime in the movie is a great lesson for humanity. As technology continues to evolve to make life easier for humans, can it also be a tool to solve the challenges we face? As much as technology has changed our lives, can we control the new problems it creates?
The human race has undergone countless changes since its inception, and the driving force behind these changes has been the development of science and technology. The discovery of penicillin saved us from countless deaths due to bacterial infections, the invention of the steam engine allowed machines to do the work of humans without the need for manual labor, the development of transportation made it possible to travel across continents, and the internet allowed us to learn about events on the other side of the world in real time. These advances in science and technology have brought new cultures and lifestyles to humanity, and our daily lives are filled with the products of science and technology.
In the 20th century in particular, we have witnessed remarkable advancements in science and technology: the development of aviation means that we no longer have to spend so much time traveling long distances, and space exploration has allowed us to explore the world beyond our planet. Innovations in medical technology have greatly extended human lifespans, and gene editing technology has opened up the possibility of curing genetic diseases. These advances in science and technology have revolutionized human life. And they will continue to do so, fundamentally changing the shape of our society and the lives of individuals.
However, the flip side of this progress is that as science and technology continue to advance, so do the risks. While advances in science and technology can be incredibly beneficial to people, they can also create new risks that are beyond human control. For example, dynamite was developed as a very useful tool for demolishing buildings, but in war, it became a weapon that took countless lives. Similarly, nuclear fission technology led to the highly efficient energy of nuclear power, but also to the creation of the nuclear bomb. It’s dangerous to put your faith in science because there is always the possibility that it could be misused by humans beyond its intended purpose.
Nevertheless, we cannot stop the progress of science and technology. Humanity has progressed alongside advances in science and technology throughout history, and our lives have changed immeasurably because of it. It has the potential to change our lives for the better in the future. The problems we face today, such as food shortages due to population growth, cannot be solved without the help of science and technology. We can only find a solution by increasing food production through genetic modification. So we can’t lose sight of the bright side of science and technology.
However, we shouldn’t be blind to it. As mentioned above, science and technology can bring tremendous benefits, but it can also have unexpected side effects. It’s a mistake to believe that technology can solve every problem. Science and technology are imperfect in and of themselves.
Ethical and moral standards are essential in the development and use of science and technology. In the movie Minority Report, the main character Anderton almost becomes a murderer according to the prediction of the crime prevention system, but he does not commit murder because he makes an ethical judgment that ‘murder is never justified’. Therefore, it is human ethical standards that determine the fate of science and technology, and when these standards are set correctly, the negative effects of science and technology can be minimized.
We must also pay attention to addressing the negative effects of technological advances. For example, the development of artificial intelligence and automation technologies has led to the disappearance of many jobs, which risks increasing social inequality. The development of information and communication technologies has also increased the risk of privacy breaches and cybercrime. These are challenges that need to be addressed alongside the benefits of science and technology.
The future of science and technology is clearly bright and full of promise. However, we must always recognize that science and technology itself is limited in its ability to positively impact human life. Science and technology are tools developed and used for human benefit, and how we choose to use them is entirely up to us. Therefore, we should strive to use science and technology in an ethical and morally correct manner.
In conclusion, the development of science and technology has the power to significantly change our lives, but it does not necessarily guarantee human happiness. Moral and ethical judgment is essential to minimize the negative effects of science and technology. Because technology is imperfect in itself, it is the responsibility and obligation of the human beings who use it that is more important for us to truly utilize it correctly.