Scientists and Human Society

A scientist is no doubt a professional, but he is also a citizen and a member of the society. The responsibility of the scientist in this context has two aspects-negative and positive . The negative responsibility of a scientist is abstain from such activities as may be harmful to his fellow men. The positive responsibility urges him to apply the scientific knowledge for the welfare of the human society.

It is the first and for most duty of scientist to use his knowledge of science for the maximum  good of the largest number. He must try to tackle the problems like hunger, disease, ignorance and poverty with the aid of his knowledge of science. Science must come to assist man in harnessing the forces of nature and thus ushering in a new era of prosperity.

It must help in combating deadly diseases that take a heavy toll of life. In short, while applying the knowledge or science the scientist must take into consideration the wider interest of society and humanity at large. It must be his first concern to ensure that the application of his knowledge of science is not detrimental to the well-being of numan society.

The modern world is faced with a number of gigantic problems. A large population in the world is hungry or underfed, scientists are supposed to help in producing more for these unfortunate persons. it is a dereliction of duty if they ignore this primary task. Scientists can devise means to save their fellow men from the ravages of famines and floods. 

Public health is another area of their responsibility. They must put their heads together to find remedies for the deadly diseases that all the people. They should face the challenge of fearful epidemics. Backwardness, acute poverty and gross ignorance are other vital areas that call for their urgent attention. The population explosion, malnutrition and environmental pollution are other matters of urgency that look to the scientist for their solution.

There is a world wide energy crisis: scientists can do a lot to meet this challenge. They can help bring mankind together by inventing still quicker means of transport and communication and thus contribute to the evolution of international brotherhood. The darkest and the most secret regions of nature still await modern scientists' efforts to uncover the wealth hidden in the womb of the earth and under the seas and oceans.