Is A Sound Knowledge Of Science And Technology Essential For A Well

Is a sound knowledge of science and technology essential for a well-educated person in today’s world?
The birth of science and technology brought humans out of the Dark Age of superstition into the light of true knowledge. Many were the breakthroughs that have come to our sad world after the amazing breakthroughs of the pioneers of science. Science has given birth to a new way of thinking that has given humans all over the world better lives. The new way of thinking brought with it so many blessings and education was one aspect of life which benefited most from it. With all the knowledge available to give us better lives, a good life is not even thinkable without a sound knowledge of science and technology. Anyone who does not have a sound knowledge of science and technology cannot be called well-educated in today's world.

It is possible to live in the world today, as it always has been, without a knowledge of science and technology; in fact millions do. Seen in this light, we observe that science is not essential, though it does help greatly in life. The simple native who lives in his 'primitive' environment is happy without any of our scientific knowledge and technological gimmicks. However, surely a knowledge of science will give him a better life. He will be rid of all the superstitions and thoughts of harmful spirits which go about causing all sorts of evil. If he learns to think in a scientific manner, he will make use of the accumulated knowledge of the human race; rather than eke out a living from his environment. In spite of this, he can live, because in his environment there is no need for him to master scientific knowledge. In fact, we can safely say that as far as his environment is concerned, he is well-equipped.

In the case of a well-educated person, he is in a different environment altogether. He has to know how to live in his environment. When surrounded by a world which runs on scientific principles, the modern person cannot live a full life when he does not avail himself of all the comforts that is around him. Firstly, he will not be thinking in the way that the rest of the population is. He will have difficulty getting on in employment; which usually calls for people to think in a modern way. It is unimaginable for a top civil servant to think in quirky ways while others around him think in scientific ways. He will not progress in his career. The point made here is that one has to live according to one's environment in order to make the best of it. It makes little sense for a person to make use of a computer, or even not know how, and insist on writing everything by hand, while the rest of the world around him whizzes by on the net.

Still the word 'essential' is too strong to describe an advantage. There are modern men and women, after a lifetime of scientific thinking, who have retired from the world. Small communes exist in the world today where people do farming using organic materials and simple hand tools. They live simple lives and are contented. They have actually turned their backs on science and technology and are living perfectly happy lives. However, this is again a demonstration that what we need to know depends on the environment where we make our living. We need to know how to make a good living at least a contented one, in the environment where we choose to make our home.

We could conclude by saying that it is possible to live without science and technology but life would be much more comfortable with a knowledge of science and technology; though it has to be admitted that such knowledge is not essential. Many people are perfectly happy without such knowledge.
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By Soorab Bhoodoo