- Published: November 17, 2021
- Updated: November 17, 2021
- University / College: University of California, Irvine
- Level: Doctor of Philosophy
- Language: English
- Downloads: 45
Love, Technological Processes Albert Einstein was a philosopher and scientist genius who argued that, imagining was better than knowledge. This is because knowledge alone is not enough to make lives better in society. Knowledge is a tool that must work in collaboration with imagination to lead to art, peace, food et cetera. He also analyzed that, technological progress is like an axe in the hands of a pathological criminal. This means that, the discovery of new technologies like internet and computers have both merits and demerits, but in most cases, the negatives outweigh the positives. If we continue that way, we will end up in a disastrous situation. For example, the internet is an exceptionally reliable source of communication that has enabled many people to communicate effectively regardless of the distance between them. People can purchase and sell goods and services online, but they can also fall victims of internet theft, scamming and other virtual evils. Moreover, though social networks people can date people they have not met, and on the other hand many people have been subjected to rape, conning among other forms of predation as a result. Although, internet has made easy communication, interaction and overall globalization, it has its flip side.
Will Durant was a greater writer and story teller who won many prizes for his articulation of civilization by education. He posited in his famous quote that, education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance. This quotation is in the same thought line with Einstein’s quote position that technological progress is like an axe in the hands of a pathological criminal. Education is a continuous process that occurs throughout an individual’s life just as imagination occurs throughout a person’s life. Knowledge and imagination lead to a progressive discovery of things, including technology. Each day, we learn new things that we did not know previously. Sometimes we assume some things but when we chance to experience them, we realize that we did not know them. The ignorance in us can lead us to harmful situations that will affect our well being, health and our general performance in life. On the other hand, knowledge has also contributed to the destruction for example the making of sophisticated weapons, which can harm humanity or perpetuation of some crimes like computer hacking and scamming.
Einstein and Durant’s quotes are related, in that, both advocate for the seeking of education and knowledge. Both view education and knowledge as necessary requirements that are vital for the existence of human beings. Although Einstein is for the option of seeking technological knowledge, he advises that we should also imagine, and reflect on the consequences that will come with it. For instance, in his quote, he is trying to highlight the negative effects that come with technology advancement as well as the seeking of such technological knowledge. Although we should accept technology as a revolution, we should also implement means of avoiding its negative outcomes. For instance, the toxic gases eliminated by industries and vehicles are causing global warming and depleting the ozone layer. As for the case of Will Durant, he advocates for continuous search of knowledge to eliminate the ignorance in us. Durant is not talking about the negative effects associated with education, unlike Einstein who is taking of the negative effects associated with technology.
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Works Cited
Humanist Party. Humanist Position regarding Nuclear Energy. 18 Apr. 2011. 19 Feb. 2012.
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