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Text 5 Science and technological progress in modern society




Natural science is the main characteristic feature distinguishing the present civilization from the other civilizations in the past. From its early beginnings in the sixteenth century, the developments of science have influenced the course of western civilization more and more until today it plays most dominant role. *It is not much of exaggeration to say that we live in world that, materially and intellectually, has been created by science.

This point is easy to illustrate on the material level. One merely needs to mention the telephone, the radio, the television, the automobile, and the airplane, or any of the countless devices invented by the application of science. There is hardly an article used in the homes, in the places of work, or in the places of enjoyment that has not been modified by technology based n science; the means of communication that bind the continents into single mmunity depend scientific know-how; without modern sanitation it would b impossible to hv large centres of population; without modern industry and agriculture it would b impossible to feed, t clothe, and to provide the "abundant life" t this large population.

There is, however, another part of the story less obvious and less well known, but far more important. It is story of expanding intellectual horizons-the impact of science n the mind of man. *Fundamentally, science is intellectual enterprise, n attempt to understand the world rticular way. ll the developments mentioned above are but the results, the outcomes of this intellectual activity.

Over the past 150 years the range of human knowledge has bn doub1ed every twelve to fifteen years. n 1930 man knew four times as much as h did n 1900; b 1960 his knowledge had grown sixteen fold, and b the year 2000 it is a hundred times what it had bn century previously.

h second part of the twentieth century has brought number of technical innovations, which are still very young but which r take so uch for granted that it is as if they hav always existed.

mere twelve years separated the launching of the Soviet satellite Sputnik 1 in 1957 and man's first landing n the Moon in 1969. h first long-term orbital station Salyut launched in 1971 opened new era n space research, providing the possibility of conducting investigations n the field of astrophysics, space technology, medicine, biology, etc. under conditions innvbl on the earth. Another period of ten years and in 1981 we could witness the launching of typically new cosmic vehicle-the Shuttle.

It is not difficult to continue with other examples but the point is clear. Events such as these are characteristic of the rate of technological development n the second half of the 20th century. *They suggest that the technological innovations we are to experience during the next twenty years to come may well surpass our wildest fantasies and today's tomorrow m well bm tomorrow's the day before yesterday. Science occupies central position n modern society. 1t dominates man's whole existence. Research and innovations in technology should improve society's living and working conditions and remedy the negative effects f techn1 and social changes.

*Recent developments f nuclear weapons, satellites, space platforms and intercontinental ballistic missiles have attracted, and rightly so, ubl attention throughout the world. *They make wars of aihilatio possible and forcibly thrust upon us the necessity f coming to an understanding with the other nations. Itis not merely matter f , but, rather, poses the question of the very survival of the human r.

 

Answer the following questions based on the information found in the reading or n your own experience or thinking.

1. What means ofmmuntin were mentioned n the text? 2. What technological innovations f the 20th century made communication between continents possible? 3. How do science and technology influn the men? 4. At what rate has scientific knowledge been developing in the 20th century? 5. What are the potential dangers f scientific discoveries? 6. Are science and technology blessing for man or curse?

 

Read these two summaries. Which n rflts the ideas of the passage more accurately? Why is the other not good? It is because

) it is too short and the main idea is not expressed;

b) it is too long and there are too many details and the key-ideas do not stand out;

) the wrong key-ideas have been selected.

Summary 1

Natural science and technology l dominant role in modern society. h range af human knowledge doubles every twelve to fifteen years. Research and innovations should improve living and working conditions and remedy the negative effects of technical and social changes.

Summary 2

Natural science is the main characteristic feature at the present civilization. Science and technology hv modified our homes, places of work and enjoyment, means of communications. Science expands man's intellectual horizons. h range of human knowledge doubles every twelve years and b the year 2000 it can be expected to b hundred times what it had been century previously. h second half of the twentieth century has brought number of technical innovations-transistor, ICs, satellites, etc. Recent developments of nuclear weapons make wars of annihilation possible and pose the question of the survival of the human race.

 

 





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