Issue41 [戮力同心]小组 第一次作业 by 最坚强的泡沫

最坚强的泡沫UID: 2245686

TOPIC: ISSUE41 - "Such nonmainstream areas of inquiry as astrology, fortune-telling, and psychic and paranormal pursuits play
a vital role in society by satisfying human needs that are not addressed by mainstream science."

I agree with the author insofar that such nonmainstream area of inquiry as mentioned in the statement remain helpful to some
extent to some human specific needs. This notwithstanding, their overwhelmingly undesired effect caused to individual and
society and the important role of science in society cannot be overlooked by rational people.
  
It is true that there always exists problems out of the realm mainstream science concerned, mostly derive from basic human
psychological activity, as worry about future, fear of death, imagination of unknown things and so on. In face of these
problems, people often tend to ask those nonmainstream areas of inquiry for advice. Indeed, they do provide answers, by study
of the changing position of celestrial bodies, by tarots in fortune-tellers' hands, by communication with the dead. Then
hence, people in trouble would reduce axeity of uncertain future, make decisive choice and feel not that sad for loss of
someone they love. But most importantly, they feel better with themselves and they find their own solace and peace.
  
  However, the unsound aspects of them shouldn't be overlooked as well. For one thing, since it cannot be replicated and
lacks of basic data and thoery bolstering it, the credibility of these nonmainstream areas of quiry remains doubtful to us.
One difference between those methods of inquiry between mainstream science is that the former is empirical science, while the
latter is not. That is to say that the latter is not based on observable phenomena and incapable of being tested for its
validity by other researchers working under the same conditions, namely unreplicate. Thus we cannot rely on such methods to
solve our social and scientific issues especially when individual's health and safety are involved, as in medical therapy and
assessing safety risks.
  
  For another, it usually turns out to be that these nonmainstream ways of inquiry are just deliberate deception for
financial  or political gain, and  a painful disaster not only for its participants but other inocent people. The fortune-
teller say what people wish to hear to make them believe, with the reason being that what he or she care is not where your
fortune is but how he or she occupy a fortune from you. The more one rely on these things the deep he or she is in the bog of
losing oneself, self-deception, being neurotic and unrealistic imagination. Even worse, in extrem situation, crime and panic
would be led to, and in this case a disaster it became to whole society.
  
  Moreover, the mainstream sience exerts an significant impact in our society. In fact, our history as human is as long as
that of science. Now we have natural science and social science; we use medical science to keep healthy, we use engineering
science to live better, and we use literacy to express and communicate. The sicence satisfied most of our needs in the past,
it does now, and will it in the future.
  
  To sum up, our society is a harmony compositon with its leading melody being mainstream science. Although the nonmainstream
areas of inquiry cater some inevitable human needs, it is mainstream sicence that pushes the whole society forward step by
step. Just as an scientist once said(and I paraphrase):"...the sicentific approach is the only feasible way in the real
political, economical, technological world we live in to give us some chance to control our dealings with problems rather
than letting them entirely control us."