This topic, science and society is so apt, broad and encompassing inspite of its topicality. It is so apt because science has varities of effects on society. This is in its connectivity, possibility, determination, networking and detrimentatlism on society.
Introduction: Science and society are so interwoven so that science cannot be divorced from societal transformation and development. Science which is the use of knowledge, acquired knowledge, improve education and its quality through the creation of what man has to do in space on earth and beneath the earth.
Science and society are interrelated in its research perspectives, in medical sphere and energy. Therefore, one of the two topical sentence ‘Science and Society’ cannot be used without reference to the other. In this view, science functions for the benefits of society. Therefore, let us look at the topic in the following perspectives.
1.1: What is Science? Science? This is the knowledge about the structure and behaviour of the natural and physical world based on facts that you can prove. It involves the uses of data, quantity, experiment and technology to solve human and societal problems.
Scientists are concerned with the new knowledge in science which make them to apply scientific method, quantification and formulation of laws that have been tested with validity that is global accepted. Scientists apply not only scientific data to solve ensure problems, They go beyond postulating solutions that project into what will be likely be the state of such thing in future.
Science is different from social science or applied science that generalize on the issue at stake without laws but use theories and hypothesis in ther research and work.
1.2: What is Society? Society is a community of diverse groups people. It is a larger community but depending on its classification.
For example, Ogaminana, the headquarters of Adavi LGA can be called a society, Kogi Central, Kogi State and Nigeria as societies.
Society is the basis of human habitation that expands to several localities and areas.
It is to be pointed out that science and society are inter-related as whatever scientists do is done in the society. It is science that has contributed to new knowledge for ICT, science and technology, researches in all forms either in agriculture, Medicine, Energy and Computerization of Government business, Firms businesses and online platforms of communications.
Science is one of the most specific channels of knowledge that has a variety of functions for the benefits of society. It is science that created new knowledge, improve education and its quality as well as increases the quality of lives.
2.0: The effects of science and society: – The effects of science on society is neither entirely beneficial nor entirely detrimental. Science improves lives, contributes to food security through sea and green farming exploration into the space with discovery of new planet whose orbit is still being studied, advances in Engineering, Construction, Manufacturing and Pharmaceutical. It is also science that contributes to societal negativity through wrong application of scientific knowledge to cause global pandemic or epidemic like covid.19 (Virus), Ebora and currently Monkey Pox. During warfare, scientific knowledge is applied to the detriments of world peace as the Russia-Ukraine war that has displaced over four Millions Ukrainians as well as the nuclear war between Iran and USA and Korea tested Atomic bombs in pacific Ocean. The effects of second world war (1938-45) is still felt in European countries of Germany, France, Spain again, science influences society through its knowledge and world view.
Scientific knowledge and the procedures used by scientists influence the way many individuals in society think about themselves, others and the environment.
2.1: Relationship between Science and Society.
Science and Society cannot be divorced from each other as they are the base for societal transformation and development. Science and society are inter-related and go parripasu as shown in agricultural research, Medical research and energy related research.
Science and scientific activities are done in society with the application of quantitative data to solve human and natural hazards. The use of modern technology in Engineering of construction works, computers and video concerns for the good of man are done in the society.
The negative consequences of science on society is its diabolical misuse of knowledge of unfocused scientists that turn knowledge into negative impact on society. The security challenge in Nigeria today, can betraced to the negativity of science on society as most Bandits, Boko Harram members, Niger Delta agitators are all armed with weapons of destruction to decimate Nigerians and Nigeria.
Science has made society to be fragile to security breaches especially in advanced countries like USA, France, Germany and UK. The incidents of school students shootings in America, France and UK are all detrimental to societal peace, progress and development.
3.0: Conclusion: it is to be seen and noted that science and society are the pivots of human progress and development but these functionalities of science and society should be well guarded to avoid untoward wrong application of scientific knowledge to destroy life and society.
The Nigeria civil wars of 1967-1970 as well as ongoing Russia-Ukuraine are good examples of misapplication of Science and knowledge to destroy life and society.
Whatever the level of our science, it is must be stated that society is our base and it should be used to better the life of individuals and society so that the world would be at peace without another large scale war or third world war.
According to late Chinese leader, Mao Luseng, he said, there is nothing good that comes out of the good. Therefore, war affects all facts of human. We should avoid misapplication of science on society.
Engr. Adams Ododo
Proprietor – Ideal Polytechnic Okene,
Kogi State & Co-ordinator Upland College
Of Education, Ifira/Ipesi, Akoko, Ondo State
Okene Study Centre.
07032263526