Critical Thinking Blog 3

I am currently debating whether to analyze a work of scientific literary art or whether to bridge the gap between science, literature and humanism. Trying to stay true to my nature and uphold my philosophy and ideas, I cannot help but be enticed to delve into the subject matter of the potential harmonious marriage of humanistic values and the wonders of science. But then again, as an avid fan of literature, I also cannot neglect to avoid the joy that I receive from reading.

I am indeed in a tight predicament. The only way to be able to solve this problem is to weigh the pros and cons. On one hand, me analyzing literature with scientific themes can be enjoyable to me. But is merely analyzing a work of literature can really convey what my deepest thoughts can express? Is the limitation of a single work of literature can hinder what I want to accomplish? Am I forever bound to be an observer rather than an active participant?

I might have just found my answer! It seems that from my deep reflection, I have accidentally stumbled onto my answer! I have ultimately decided to attempt to create a bridge between humanism and science. I would want to find out what are the repercussions of these connections and how the deeply ingrained association of technology can change mankind.

Critical Thinking Blog 1

As a member of a functioning capitalist society, it is naturally expected of me to participate in such daily exchanges of information. Also living in such a technologically dominated world, it is inevitable and explicitly unavoidable for me not to interact with such different kinds of technology. From the daily basic forms of subsistence, to the mechanical-like accessing of the internet, I have tragically submitted myself to the mercy of technology. But please do not mistake my willingness to submit as a sign of weakness. I am merely emphasizing the importance of technology and portray that mankind and technology would be forever entwined as long as one exists.

I consider myself, first and foremost, a humanist and a techno-romanticist second. I believe that as human beings, we must be responsible on how we use and apply science to our surroundings. Despite my stance on humanism and the effects of irresponsible technology, I still view technology as a necessary tool for human development. There is no denying the vast potential of technology. As a matter of fact, General Motors have just recently introduced a concept car called the Chevy Volt which is due out in 2011. This concept car apparently is a fully electronic car that emits zero emissions. This positive progressive thinking shows the potential of technology in both innovation and “green-mindedness”.

The “green movement” here in the United States shows initiation and promise. It is indeed true that human consumption and waste have negatively affected out planet. But with the growing awareness of our own destructive tendencies, change and progress have been made to avert such destructive actions. I believe that once Americans are educated about this growing concern and finally acknowledge these facts, change can happen. Unfortunately, these hopes for change are only whims from a techno-romanticist humanist.

Critical Thinking Blog 2

Ever since I was a little kid, I have been fascinated with prehistoric dinosaurs. I have always wondered what the world would be like with humans and dinosaurs coexisting with each other. Then come the summer of 1993, there was a movie that was released by a very popular director named Steven Spielberg; it was Jurassic Park. The premise was about a theme park in where dinosaurs were resurrected from the extinct gene pool of species by the wonders of science. As a young child, my imagination ran extremely wild. I was fantasizing about dinosaurs living with humans! Can you believe that? I even asininely assumed that within the movie dinosaurs were going to be awesome pets! After pestering my parents to go watch the movie, they finally submitted to my constant annoyance and exasperatedly obliged.

The first thirty minutes of the movie, my fantasy and expectations was well met. Seeing walking dinosaurs on the silver screen along with the paleontologist besides it was a sight to behold. Unfortunately, my euphoric sate of mind was shattered when the movie reached its climax. The dinosaurs were loose! Terrorizing and devouring the humans in the movie, I was terrified. After the movie, I left the movie theater flabbergasted.

Now as an adult and critically reflecting about the movie, I came to the conclusion that the movie revolved around the concept of the God complex. It is a psychological disorder in which one consistently believes they can accomplish more than is humanly possible. Coupled with a brilliant scientific mind and vast amount of resources, the man who was responsible for Jurassic Park in the movie blatantly abused science. Here we saw scientific hubris ultimately caused the demise of the park. The question we now must ask ourselves is how do we know if we are pushing science too far? What are the moral consequences of such actions? And how do we find balance between responsible and irresponsible science? And lastly, to what extent are we willing to push morality?

Science for humanity is essential for its evolution. It is deeply ingrained within our society that we have depended our survival on science since the beginning of time. Convenience, safety, health and productivity are all byproducts of it. Now that we have become more aware and sophisticated with science, we have started to walk the slippery slope of morality and responsibility. We have started to become irresponsible, arrogant and selfish. This is evident just by observing our own natural world. Rainforests are being scalped, our oceans polluted, our atmosphere poisoned. Looking within our society, we also see the friction of morality and science. We have the issue of the morality of cloning, the issue of life preservers and its vegetative patients, and to the simple abuse of narcotics.

We are ultimately destroying ourselves with our irresponsible use of science. To change this, we must change our mentality to a more holistic symbiosis of man and nature. Respect should be adhered to both man and nature to prevent the abuse of science. Pre-historic man have erected walls to keep nature out for survival, now the modern man now has to obliterate it to let nature in.