:: literature web

:: socratic seminar

THE VALUE OF SCIENCE, a lecture by Richard Feynman

Science is an intellectual and practical interest consisting the study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiments.

In Richard Feynman’s lecture, The Value of Science, Feynman discusses and expresses the importance of scientific studies and its impact on society. He provides the readers, (well in this case the audience of the lecture) with supporting evidence and examples of scientific knowledge and a term he expresses as intellectual enjoyment.

“He argues that scientific knowledge is morally neutral, that although people can use scientific knowledge either for good or for ill, science is not something that can be ignored or stopped.” When reading this statement at first, I was unsure of the exact meaning, especially by the statement that scientific knowledge is morally neutral. But after reading the lecture, I understood the approach of Feynman when conveying his ideas about science.

Among his various theories and ideas, I enjoyed reading the practical relation that science has to reality. These relations include, medical applications and technological research produced from scientific discoveries. In regards to this theme, I believe that Feynman’s term of intellectual enjoyment greatly relates to this relation of civilization. I especially was enthralled when reading about his journey to Honolulu, where he learnt of a proverb “To every man is given the key to the gates of heaven; the same key opens the gates to hell.” This is an example of his scientific knowledge, an “enabling power to do either good or bad”. Whereas the term he refers to as intellectual enjoyment is something an individual receives from reading and learning.

In conclusion I feel there are a diverse range of topics discussed and expressed, from the scientific relation to education to the many responsibilities as scientists, in this lecture regarding the value that science has in our world. “It is our responsibility as scientists, knowing the great progress and great value of a satisfactory philosophy of ignorance, the great progress that is the fruit of freedom of thought, to proclaim the value of this freedom, to teach how doubt is not to be feared but welcomes and discussed, and to demand this freedom as our duty to all coming generations.”  

Unknown VOCAB

·      Negated

·      Cerebrum

·      Voltaires

·      Proponents

Questions to Ponder

“When a scientist doesn’t know the answer to a problem, he is ignorant. When he has a hunch as to what the result is, he is uncertain. And when his is pretty darn sure of what the result is going to be, he is in some doubt. We have found it of paramount importance that in order to progress we must recognize the ignorance and leave room for doubt. Scientific knowledge is a body of statement of varying degrees of certainty-some most unsure, some nearly sure, none absolutely certain.

Using the above excerpt from the lecture, The Value of Science by Richard Feynman, answer the following questions.

1.     What does Feynman mean when he states, “we must recognize the ignorance and leave room for doubt”? Does this statement suggest that doubt is a key factor that can over time leads to success?

2.     What is the difference between uncertainty and being ignorant?

3.     How do the terms, ignorance, certainty, and doubt relate to scientific progress and/or success?

:: oryx & crake IDEALS & MORALITY VERSUS REALITY & SCIENCE

Oryx & Crake is an unforgettable, compelling vision of the future. In this dystopian piece of literature, Atwood expresses and examines various outlooks in life, which in reality are beyond our imagination. Atwood’s novel is based in a society where success is revolved around multinational corporations, and where there is a divide between civilization and science. The entire novel is themed around the subject of science and the various genetic plantations to better humanity. There are many key factors that influence and impact the structure of this novel, some points that I feel are of great importance are; ideals, morality, reality and science. These elements are the foundation to the novel.

IDEALS :: satisfying one’s conception of what is perfect

MORALITY :: principles concerning the distinction between right & wrong or good & bad behavior

REALITY :: the world or state of things as they actually exist

SCIENCE :: intellectual and practical activity, consisting the study of structures and behavior of the physical and natural world through observations and experiments

I believe that the terms ideal and morality are connected to one another as they both in a sense relate to the same matter. And ideal life is significantly influenced by morality.  Without the differentiation of proper and improper behavior and decisions, an ideal society would be unrealistic.

The relationship between reality and science is quite obvious, as society (especially in current times) is immensely impacted by the development of science and growth of technology.

Ideals & Morality are considerably different in comparison to Reality & Science.  One aspect focuses on an idealistic society, one where idealism almost becomes a factor of utopia; a perfect imagined state/place. Whereas reality focuses on current standings in time and present obstacles that humanity is left to deal with. However in relation to this novel, Oryx and Crake, we are reading about all four topics in proximity of each other.

just imagine if society relied on the science of technology to decipher our morality ? 

:: ORYX & CRAKE

:: ORYX & CRAKE Brainstorming in Regards to the Novel …

Basic Plot

Elements of Dystopian Fiction

·      the family

·      society

·      government

·      science

·      technology

JIMMY (snowman)

·      an outcast …

·      no family connection

o   unique father-son relationship

o   distant mother

·      diverse and utopian society

·      new creations and inventions

·      no government

·      science is a key factor in society

o   technology

o   plantations

o   innovation

·      powerful corporations

·      genetic engineering

·      unknown plague ?

o   cause of the dystopia

o   disease

o   isolation

·      strange environment

o   green-eyed children

o   new man-kind 

:: dystopian society

:: response to another blogg..

http://sydneyjaneeyre.blogspot.com/2010/10/blog-4-chapters-28-38.html#comments

:: reader response ..chapters 28-38

2. Compare and contrast St. John to Rochester. Who is the better choice for a husband for Jane? Why?

“He is not my husband, nor ever will be. He does not love me: I do not love him. He loves (as he can love, and that is not as you love) a beautiful young lady called Rosamond. He wanted to marry me only because he thought I should make a suitable missionary’s wife, which she would have not done. He is good and great, but severe; and, for me, cold as an iceberg. He is not like you sir: I am not happy at his side, nor near him, nor with him. He has no indulgence for me – no fondness. He sees nothing attractive in me; not even youth – only a few useful mental points” (Chapter 37, Page 451)

Jane is torn between two men, she is unable, at first, to decide whether she should follow her heart or accept St. John’s request and his oblation.  As mentioned in the above excerpt from the novel, in regards to Jane, St. John is as cold as an iceberg. There is no love or acceptance of Jane in the relationship. Whereas, Mr. Rochester truly adores Jane, she is the love of his life, and he treats her as his equal. You could define their love for each other as a passionate blazing fire. “And for all, Mr. Rochester sought her as if she has been the most precious thing he had in the world, he never could hear a word of her, and he grew savage,” (Chapter 36, Page 435).  Mr. Rochester completely changed after he lost Jane; he longed to have her back at his side.

I believe in the case of Jane’s happiness, she would be immensely happy with Rochester, as he offers her a lifetime of love without marriage, instead of a marriage without love. Rochester clearly proves to be a better choice as a husband for Jane, (“Literally I was (as he called me) the apple of his eye,” (Chapter 38, Page 459). Later on as discovered, Rochester and Jane are able to share more then just a bond by marriage, but Jane is fully her “her husbands life as fully as he is hers,”  (Chapter 38, Page 459). St. John only wanted to marry Jane for her use and holy purposes; he did not truly love her for her character and individuality. “I scorn your idea of love, I scorn the counterfeit sentiment you offer: yes, St. John, and I scorn you when you offer it,” (Chapter 34, Page 415-416) 

6. What about Jane leads to her happiness at the end of the novel?

Jane’s dignity, triumphs, independence and passion are all key factors that lead to her satisfaction at the end of the novel. Jane has proved herself to be a respectful woman who is capable of overcoming life long obstacles and achieving contentment. “He loved me so truly, that he knew no reluctance in profiting by my attendance: he felt that I loved him so fondly, that to yield that attendance was to indulge my sweetest wishes,” (Chapter 38, Page 459).

At the end of the novel, Jane is finally reunited with her love, Mr. Rochester, and he asks her hand in marriage again. As she finally agrees, I believe that Jane has at last discovered where her happiness belonged all this time; and of which was in the heart of Mr. Rochester. “No woman was ever nearer to her mate than I am: ever more absolutely bone of his bond, and flesh of his flesh. To be together is for us to be at once as free as in solitude, as gay as in company….we are precisely suited in character-perfect concord is the result,” (Chapter 38, Page 459).

The main reason behind Jane’s happiness and existence was because of her love for Rochester. She proved that love never fails, although there were many obstacles she had to overcome in order to face her love once again. Mr. Rochester was the one aspect that kept Jane living and strong, and in the end it was proven that they were both meant to be together.  The above picture conveys the message that love has its own way of happening.