Observations and experiments are synonyms for scientific activity. Science is meant to be purely objective. Yet, this extremely important discipline has not always been appreciated by the cultural norms of certain locations in the past and present. Science was thought to be too intrusive to the Church when scientists were killed for publishing observations that appeared different from the beliefs of the Church. Science took power of its own especially after the period known as the Reformation – once religion had stopped having authority over all affairs of people.
Since then, scientists have built upon each other’s theories to experience the world for themselves and develop new scientific theories in the process. Einstein used to discuss science even as a youth (“People Who Influenced Einstein”). Stephen Hawking, a modern scientist, continues to discuss Einstein while formulating his own scientific theories. His contemporaries, the quantum physicists, are also building upon world-famous scientific theories (“What the Bleep Do We Know”). Even so, science is constantly refreshed nowadays in a search for new knowledge about the universe.
The Greeks are known to have been great analysts. However, their science was based more on intuitive knowledge, understanding, and therefore had the potential of a huge number of Aha! or Eureka moments. The Middle Ages also did not enjoy the kind of technology that has been enjoyed since the 20th century by scientists around the world. Had modern-day telescopes, for example, been present during the Middle Ages, the Scientific Revolution would have arrived much earlier. However, this did not happen. Science continued to build on the theories of the past.
Another central feature of scientific developments is that they do not happen at the same time in all places of the world. Today, the Western world is leading scientific developments. The cultural norms of other places are obstructing science in those locations, as experiences and theories continue to evolve science elsewhere.
Works Cited
Hawking, Stephen. A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes. (Introduction by Carl Sagan). London: Bantam Books, 1996. People Who Influenced Einstein. ThinkQuest. Retrieved 10 June 2007, from http://library. thinkquest. org/5360/influenc. htm. What the Bleep Do We Know. Film.