Impact of Science on Society
THE IMPACT OF SCIENCE ON SOCIETY
James Burke Jules Bergman Isaac Asimov
NASA SP-482
THE IMPACT OF SCIENCE ON SOCIETY
James Burke Jules Bergman Isaac Asimov
Prepared by Langley Research Center
Scientific and Technical Information Branch
1985
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Washington, DC
Library of Congress Cataloging in PublicationData
Burke, James, 1936The impact of science on society. (NASA SP ; 482) Series of lectures given at a public lecture series sponsored by NASA and the College of William and Mary in 1983. 1 . Science-Social aspects-Addresses, essays, lectures. I. Bergman, Jules. 11. Asimov, Isaac, 1920. 111. United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. IV.College of William and Mary. V. Title. VI. Series. Q175.55.B88 1985 303.4’83 84-1 4 1 59
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402
Foreword
Science and technology have had a major impact on society, and their impact is growing. By drastically changing our means of communication, the way we work, our housing, clothes, and food, our methods of transportation, and, indeed, even the length and quality of life itself, science has generated changes in the moral values and basic philosophies of mankind. Beginning with the plow, science has changed how we live and what we believe. By making life easier, science has given man the chance to pursue societal concerns such as ethics, aesthetics, education, and justice; to create cultures; and to improve human conditions. But it has also placed us in the unique position of being able to destroy ourselves. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1983, NASA and The College of William and Mary jointly sponsored a series of public lectures on the impact of science on society. These lectures were delivered by British historian James Burke, ABC T V science editor and reporter Jules Bergman, and
James Burke Jules Bergman Isaac Asimov
NASA SP-482
THE IMPACT OF SCIENCE ON SOCIETY
James Burke Jules Bergman Isaac Asimov
Prepared by Langley Research Center
Scientific and Technical Information Branch
1985
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Washington, DC
Library of Congress Cataloging in PublicationData
Burke, James, 1936The impact of science on society. (NASA SP ; 482) Series of lectures given at a public lecture series sponsored by NASA and the College of William and Mary in 1983. 1 . Science-Social aspects-Addresses, essays, lectures. I. Bergman, Jules. 11. Asimov, Isaac, 1920. 111. United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. IV.College of William and Mary. V. Title. VI. Series. Q175.55.B88 1985 303.4’83 84-1 4 1 59
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402
Foreword
Science and technology have had a major impact on society, and their impact is growing. By drastically changing our means of communication, the way we work, our housing, clothes, and food, our methods of transportation, and, indeed, even the length and quality of life itself, science has generated changes in the moral values and basic philosophies of mankind. Beginning with the plow, science has changed how we live and what we believe. By making life easier, science has given man the chance to pursue societal concerns such as ethics, aesthetics, education, and justice; to create cultures; and to improve human conditions. But it has also placed us in the unique position of being able to destroy ourselves. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1983, NASA and The College of William and Mary jointly sponsored a series of public lectures on the impact of science on society. These lectures were delivered by British historian James Burke, ABC T V science editor and reporter Jules Bergman, and