IGNOU FST CHAPTER 1 Q8

Q)"The growth of science is influenced by its needs, capacity to absorb or utilize ideas." Explain this statement with the help of examples.
Ans)The practical application of science leads to its growth. But the advance of science depends upon something more than just the practical aspect. An equally important part of science is theory and concepts, which have played an important role in its advance. The theoretical framework links together the practical achievements in science and gives them an intellectual unity. Major advances in science occurred when a particular theory was proved or disproved. Theory is ultimately linked with practice. It has often happened that an important theory became very formal and came to be used mechanically,  without any fresh ideas or new approaches. Then a new contact with practical experience bought forth its limitations. And it had to be modified or rejected, leading to another major advance in science.The theories of science are also influenced by the general intellectual atmosphere in which the scientists work. It often happens that a theory that fits into the general intellectual atmosphere and so is accepted universally, impedes further scientific advance. New theories based on newly discovered facts may be radically different form the existing ones. Therefore they come into conflict with the prevailing ideas and social thought.  This conflict has in the past lead to persecution of scientists.

IGNOU FST CHAPTER 1 Q7

Q)State any three ways in which the growth of science influences the growth of production processes in a society.
Ans)Generally science thrived whenever a society had organised itself to increase production of goods and create a degree of satisfaction among its members. The growth of science not only increases production but also leads to improvement in the methods of production. And when methods of production evolve and develop to new stage societies transform.

IGNOU FST CHAPTER 1 Q6

Q) 'Science plays a crucial role in the maintenance and development of production processes in a given society.' Discuss this statement with the help of two examples from the history of science.
Ans) Science plays a crucial role in the maintenance and development of production processes in a given society.Generally science thrived whenever a society had organised itself to increase production of goods and create a degree of satisfaction among its members. The growth of science not only increases production but also leads to improvement in the methods of production. And when methods of production evolve and develop to new stage societies transform. For example when agriculture was the main means of production human habitations were scattered over large rural areas with their own lifestyle. But when factory based production became common industrial towns grew up because a large number of people were working in one place with a life very different form a rural life.

IGNOU FST CHAPTER 1 Q5

Q)What are the conditions that determine that the fruits of science are used for human good or for destructive purposes?
Ans)The specific areas of social life such as trade, 'markets' and natural resources health etc. set definite problems for science to solve. Unfortunately military activity has been one of the major goals for science throughout history. Such goals do not lead to and in fact pervert scientific activity. Most scientists in modern times have taken a position against such a perversion of their work. This stand taken by scientists all over the world against using space to install deadly weapons is an example of this. The fruits of scientific labor can be used for human good or they may be misused. For instance, science in a society based on private profit, would lead to production of goods which can be sold for profit rather than those which are really needed. And if weapons can be a source of profit weapons can be produced rather than the medicine for the ailing. All of us and scientists in particular need to be aware of this.   

IGNOU FST CHAPTER 1 Q4

Q)Do you think stability lead to social stagnation and eventually stagnation in science?
Ans)History of science is a story of how social and economic pressures arising out of a given form society necessitate particular inventions and innovations.These innovations are gradually used and absorbed by dominant social forces to stabilize their domination.The stability eventually leads to social stagnation. For example stagnation in a given geographical area or society does not always lead to radical changes in the same area or society. New ideas are sometimes transmitted through human interaction, due to trade and other means of communication to other geographical locations.There the society may be conductive to a rapid change.Again in a given society successive changes may be rapid in a particular epoch.In a different epoch in the same locality changes may be extremely slow.To understand this we have to understand the specific social, cultural and economic conditions of a given society.

IGNOU FST CHAPTER 1 Q3

Q)Explain with the help of examples how science in modern times is a collective and organized activity?
Ans) The large and diversified activity which is well organized gives science the nature of an institution. The general economic ideological atmosphere determines the broad motivation of a scientific activity. And specific ares of social life such as trade, 'markets', agriculture and natural resources, health etc set definite problems for science to solve. Thus science as an institution used to solve specific problem in different areas, within the broad framework of existing social conditions.Examples are launching of satellites for weather monitoring, creation of new plans for farmers by scientists, working on sophisticated equipment in laboratories etc.

IGNOU FST CHAPTER 1 Q2

Q) Discuss how progress in science and society influence each other?
Ans) The theories of science are also influenced by the general intellectual atmosphere in which the scientists work. It often happens that a theory that fits into the general intellectual atmosphere and so is accepted universally, impedes further scientific advance. New theories based on newly discovered facts may be radically different form the existing ones. Therefore they come into conflict with the prevailing ideas and social thought.  This conflict has in the past lead to persecution of scientists. For instance in the seventeenth century, Galileo used a telescope to see and to show others that the moons of the planet Jupiter revolved around it. This was very much like what he was proposing: that the earth revolved around the sun. He could also show that there were hills and valleys on the surface of the moon.  But these ideas were against the prevailing concepts that the sun revolved around the earth and God had created the perfectly spherical moon. This new theory when published , led to the trail of Galileo. Nevertheless, history shows that barring a few exceptions new ideas in science overcame opposition and came to be accepted in due course of time. This not only lead to great leaps in science but also molded the intellectual thinking in general.

IGNOU FST CHAPTER 1 Q1

Q) With two examples form the industry, explain the role of science in production process.
Ans) Science has always played a crucial role in production. Generally science thrived whenever a society had organised itself to increase production of goods and create a degree of satisfaction among its members. The growth of science not only increases production but also leads to improvement in the methods of production. And when methods of production evolve and develop to new stage societies transform. For example when agriculture was the main means of production human habitations were scattered over large rural areas with their own lifestyle. But when factory based production became common industrial towns grew up because a large number of people were working in one place with a life very different form a rural life.