What is science?

• Generally speaking, science is a field of study in which the initial hypothesis is either reaffirmed to be correct or proven to be incorrect through extensive experiments and testing. Although science should be apolitical, it is often misused and abused by politicians and people of particular interest. Scientists should also be embracing science to advance the human species, not eradicate it. Unfortunately, in the past couple of years of the pandemic, virology studies look a lot like a repeat of the disaster humans have put forth in trying to harness atomic or nuclear power; it speaks loudly to the contrary of the idea of science for the greater good.

What is the scientific method?

• The idea of a scientific method is a research methodology that includes a few different phases; instead of trying to guess and assume, scientists put it to the test. So, in the simplest of terms, a scientific method involves asking the right question, drawing an initial hypothesis, experimenting with that hypothesis, collecting data for analysis, and reporting on those findings to see if it accepts or rejects that initial hypothesis.

How does science compare to other ways of knowing?

• Similar to scientific experiments, we could also use our intuition, in this case, our senses, or rely on an expert in this field to relay knowledge to us. Unfortunately, these ways of acquiring knowledge are not all that reliable. As previously mentioned, science can be manipulated in a way to fit into a particular agenda or narrative that benefits one institution or group of people. For instance, during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were initially told not to wear masks because they were simply not helpful to the general public. Although, on the contrary, the issue of masks originated from the short supply during the early days. Instead of being forthcoming with our supply shortages, the health authorities, in this case, the authoritative scientific community, told us that we should not be wearing them because they do not work. The question now is, if it was conveyed to us accurately in the early days, would it have prevented the high casualties? Would the mask issue be such a political divide? I certainly do not believe so. And so, after learning about the supply issue, I started to read up on medical research studies instead of relying on the information provided to me through “official channels.” Quite frankly speaking, this occurred because I have lost faith in our scientific authorities.

Is scientific knowledge influenced by culture?  Why/Why not?

• Yes, scientific knowledge is definitely influenced by culture. As previously mentioned, science can be manipulated or even manufactured to fit a particular motive or agenda, heinous or not. In the case of cultural sense, religion is a huge influencing factor in our society. For instance, in the recent development of the supreme court overturning the case of Roe vs. Wade, although I personally favor giving the states the authority to decide and declare their own state statutes on abortion, it just will not work, simply because human nature. The bible belt states will most definitely try to ban abortion at all costs. In the case of Texas’s Heartbeat Act, abortion is banned under all circumstances without exception, only if when the prospecting mother is under serious health risk of dying. Even then, it must be reported to the proper authority to “authorize” an abortion. It is no longer a physician’s decision but a governmental affair. Unfortunately and sadly, at that point, it is highly likely that neither the mother nor the child will survive. It defeats the original purpose of protecting the unborn child, which is technically not, originally, a heinous act.