During the “Enlightenment” the period between 16th and 17th centuries when philosophers celebrated the power of human reason. There were new techniques of science and mathematics which started play a role in making human activities much more easy and productive. Science and technology were looked at as highest order of learning and civilization. Working with science was looked at as constructive and noble job. Today science and technology is for mass destruction. In this blog post I will try to show the changing face of science over the years.
Though science was meant for human development is has been adapted and modified and for destructive purposes like war since ages. Archimedes ancient Greek mathematician, philosopher who is famous for his varies contributions to early mathematics, formalized a method to setting enemy ships on fire using sunlight . In 17th century French military under Napoleon Bonaparte started adapting mathematical techniques in designing fortress to measuring the size of cannon balls. Though these examples show the early adaptations of science, they were of little impact on determining the outcome of a war. This was situation until the beginning of 20th century.
It was in world war I that countries realized the potential of science in war. World war I was often referred as the 'The Chemists' war' because of the extensive use of chemicals like nitrites, poison gas. Germans used chlorine from from powerful die industries. Realizing the potential of these chemicals, chemists from these countries were pushed to develop more harmful chemicals to countermeasure the chemicals from the other country. Physicist contributed by developing wireless communication technologies and sound-based methods of detecting U boats. This marked beginning of the scientific research dedicated for war.
At the end of the first world war the nations realized the significance of science and technology in war. Until this time there was just adaptations of existing scientific and technology in war and the scientific research was meant to development. The inter-war years mark the change in the face of science. The purpose of science started transforming from 'human development' to 'human destruction'. Governments started funding the research which had a potential in war. For example in US until then academic research in science and engineering is not considered a federal responsibility; almost all support comes from private contributions and charitable foundations and military research was heavily disorganized. In the inter-war It was reorganized and was heavily funded by the government one of it being the Manhattan project.
The view of war has changed from a mode on 'settlement of issues' to mad race of destruction. There was disappearance of understanding of a human life among the scientist developing technologies. Some technologies like atom bomb were developed that could wipe-out an entire city in seconds. It can be compared to the chemicals that were developed were to mass kill mosquitoes, they made such chemical because we don't value a life of a mosquito. An atom bomb was no different. Many new mathematical and computational tools like 'game theory' , 'operational research' were developed ,all for the purpose of enhancing defense system. British and American work on radar influenced to course of the war.
After the second world war, he advent of the Cold War solidified the links between military institutions and academic science. Whole new field like digital computing and networking were developed under the military patronage.
The extensive military patronage since 1930 changed the face and vision of science. Like Paul Forman an American historian in his 1987 article “Behind quantum electronics: National security as a basis for physical research in the United State, 1940-1960,” said military funding initiated "a qualitative change in its(science) purposes and character."
References:
- Sujan
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