6 An education in Science

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A. Mark these sentences as true (T) or false (F).

1. The world we live in will change in the next 100 years. (T)

2. Life was much easier in the past. (F)

3. People think about basic science only because they are paid a lot for it. (F)

4. Most people distrust science because they do not understand it (T)

5. A nuclear war could end the world over a long period of time. (T)

6. The best way to understand science is through equations. (F)

7. Science programmes should entertain and educate. (T)

8. The writer fears that minor world powers will use nuclear weapons
in an irresponsible manner. (T)

9. The writer wishes governments would cut down the use of

nuclear weapons. (T)

10. There is a belief that extremely advanced civilisations tend to

destroy themselves. (T)

B. Answer these questions with reference to the context.

1. It has come to expect the steady increase in the standard of living that new
developments in science and technology have brought to continue, but it also
distrusts science.

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 a. What does ‘it’ refer to?
‘It’ refers to the Public.

b. Why does it ‘distrusts science’?

According to the author most people distrust Science because they are
unable to understand.
c. The television series Cosmos shows that the public is deeply interested in
a particular subject. Which is this ‘particular subject’?
That subject is Science – particularly Astronomy.

C. Answer briefly these questions.

1. What was life like before science advanced?

Life was difficult for most people. It was not so bad for a privileged minority,
though even they had to do without modern medicine and child birth was
highly risky for women. But for the vast majority of the population, life was
nasty, brutish and short.

2. What would prevent further developments from taking place?

The only way to prevent further development from taking place would be to
have a global totalitarian State that suppressed anything new.

3. Why would it be difficult to stop scientific developments?

One cannot stop enquiring minds from thinking about basic science, so
development will continue to take place. Also, human initiative and ingenuity
would ensure that developments continue to take place.

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4. What does the writer say about public’s attitude towards science?
The writer says that the public has a rather ambivalent attitude towards
science. It has come to expect the steady increase in the standard of living that
new developments in science and technology have brought to continue, but it
also distrusts science because it does not understand it.

5. How is science taught in schools?

Children learn science by rote to pass examinations. They are not shown its
relevance to the world around them. Moreover, science is often taught in terms
of equations.

6. How would the writer like science to be taught?

He would like it to be taught through words and diagrams, without the use of
equations. They could also be taught through educative and entertaining
science programmes shown on television.

7.. What is the writer’s opinion about nuclear weapons?

The write would like to see the minimum use of nuclear weapons. He sees them
as a great danger. He feels that it would take a computer error or a mutiny by
some of those manning the weapons, to trigger a global war. He feels worried
about the fact that even minor nations are acquiring nuclear weapons. He does
not trust that countries will use nuclear power in a responsible manner.

8. Which science related problems will the public have to take decisions about?
Which of these is the most urgent? Why?
The public will have to take decisions about global problems such as food
supply or the greenhouse effect. The most urgent problem is that of nuclear

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 weapons. This is because the irresponsible use of these weapons can wipe out
humanity.

9.. Which ‘sick joke’ does the writer mention?

The joke is that the reason humans have not been contacted by an alien
civilisation is that civilisations tend to destroy themselves when they reach the
stage which we have reached.

10. On what note does the author end his essay?

He ends on an optimistic note, expressing his faith in the ability of humans to
use their good judgement.

Answer these questions on your own

Answer these questions with reference to the context.
The major powers have behaved in a reasonably responsible way so far, but one
cannot have such confidence in minor powers.

a. What have the major powers been responsible about?

b. Which minor powers does the writer refer to here?

c. Why does the author use the words ‘so far’ here?
Answer in short:
1.Why do some people wish to stop scientific progress?
2. Why does the public distrust science?

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