RE: #Discussion Time - The Quantum & The Lotus - Quote #1
Such an interesting point to bring up the role of morals in science. I can understand how science is viewed simply as mathematical equations and problem solving, but I can also see how science has been used in both beautiful and destructive ways throughout human history. Examples would be putting a man on the moon and developing the atomic bomb.
Should scientist be held accountable for their inventions? That’s a tough one to answer. I think if they develop the invention with good intentions, but it was used for destructive purposes, that is a real tragedy and insult to their contributions. If however, someone intentionally creates something for the purpose of harming another life, then yes I believe they have done something wrong. Even though they were not the one to “pull the trigger” or decide to use the invention, they still made it possible. Makes me think of the chemist who worked for Hitler and developed the gas chambers. Assuming this scientist knew the final intent, I believe they should be held accountable for that.
Interesting, so from your perspective a person's guilt is tied to their intent. So as long as their intent is good, the new knowledge should be uncovered? Einstein for example and the hydrogen bomb. He clearly had good intent but the knowledge that he brought to the world can also be what destroys it.
Should that knowledge have been sought after in the first place? Would it have been if spirituality/personal transformation was the primary focus?
Is it worth stopping unspeakable evil in this moment if you unleash something that could end all of life in the future?
You bring up a good point, but I don’t think we should halt scientific discovery or curiosity simply because it could be used for evil. Once we start going down that line of reasoning, I think we start holding ourselves back as a species.
The problem here doesn’t lie in the invention, but in one humans decision to harm another. I wish we could work on that. I wish we could help evil people to see that harm and destruction is not necessary.