The second edition of the seminar develops the discussions begun on December 1993, taking as its starting point the issues and
goals highlighted by the Nobel Laureates who participated in the two-day debate.
The general framework remains that of the relationship between scientific progress, economic development and the emerging
ethical issues associated with such change. The participants have been asked to reflect upon the intrinsic cultural value of science
and on the need for the general public to play a more active role in setting the goals and ethical limits of research and its
applications, with a view to overcoming conflict and strengthening international cooperation. This scenario can not ignore the
strategic importance of education nor training and the impact of changes wrought by innovation in the world of production and
work.
|
 |
| Science, Society and the Natural/Unnatural Dualism |
Wednesday 7 December 1994
|
|
Science provides knowledge that technology transforms into means
of action. Their impact on society will depend on the effective
use that is being made of them.
Chemical and physical sciences have profoundly modified the living
conditions of mankind, in particular chemistry has played a central
role. Its creative power has made available a range of new materials
and processes for the transformation of matter. These have often
been perceived as unnatural and opposed to the natural ones.
As a result the question of control by society has become more
and more actual. This requires the information of the public and
of decision-makers for evaluating the potential impact of technology
on society as well as for preserving the necessary freedom of
scientific research and the quest for knowledge.
The resulting essay has been translated into Italian and published in the book
Scienza e società. Dieci Nobel per il futuro. (Marsilio, Venezia 1995).
|
|
|
