SIX1015- Science and Values

Muhammad Ikmal Bin Rommel (U2000560)

i) Explain the relationship between science and values. In your opinion, describe the
advantages and/or disadvantages when values involved in scientific knowledge
development.

- Science is a systematic study of natural phenomena while values are the principles that help
us to decide what is right or wrong, and how to act in various situations. Values are defined as
broad preferences concerning appropriate courses of actions or outcomes. As such, values
reflect a person’s sense of right and wrong or what “ought” to be. Values come in different
types such as ethical/moral values, doctrinal/ideological (religious, political) values, social
values and aesthetic values. Ethics are studies of what is morally right and wrong, or a set of
beliefs about what is morally right and wrong. Why such values are emphasized in the study of
science? That is because science is closely related to human being which we cannot ignore and
deny. Values can have a positive influence on the development of scientific knowledge by
motivating human attempts at exploration and innovation, and play an important role in
contributing to a scientist’s acceptance of a theory or hypothesis as an appropriate basis of
action. The relationship between science and values are where the growth of values along with
the promotion of science is necessary for human development.

- In my opinion, when values are involved in scientific knowledge development, it will give a
major boost to the study of science in many aspects. By having moral values, scientists are
expected to be honest in their research or experiment. A proper treatment of living subjects,
both humans and animals are a given as it calls for checking and balancing mechanisms to
ensure the subjects are not endangered. For example, the prohibition of cloning which brings
up ethical issues. In addition, ethics set scientist’s mindset to a more correct way of thinking by
doing research for knowledge that can serve mankind rather than lusting after fame or
recognition, egoism, greed, prejudice, racism and political considerations which frequently
resulted in immorality in the domain of science. Next, in Malaysia, almost all of the citizens
were nurtured with their own beliefs or religious values in their upbringing. A typology
proposed by Ian Barbour has shown the kinds of interactions between science and religion in
terms of conflict, independence, dialogue and integration. According to the typology, many
new discoveries can be seen in regards of how science may clash with religious teachings, or
how science and religion are interrelated that gives more understandings for both. Science and
religion can be integrated into 3 areas such as natural theology, theology of nature and
process philosophy. In a general way, science and religion can be integrated into one domain
and could help each other in understanding more about nature not only from physical
understanding but also metaphysical understanding.

- However, there is also disadvantage when values are involved in scientific knowledge
development. It might obstruct or hinder from gaining a much more deeper understanding in
some cases. A clear example can be seen from the current situation of the world (Covid19),
where many vaccines are produced for the first time but the effectiveness are uncertain unless
they are experimented on a subject. But how to prove it without a willing subject is an issue as
it is morally wrong to force a subject to be an experimental object.