IGNOU FST CHAPTER 1 Q13(Assignment 2017)

Q)Detailed account on tradition and social function of science.
Ans) One aspect of scientific endeavor that makes it different from all other aspects of social achievement. That is scientific endeavor, at any at any point of time depends on the existence of previous knowledge. Without the stock of previous knowledge, the methods of the scientist would not be able to achieve much.Further, to be called scientists, scientific workers have to add to previous knowledge, Scientists constantly strive to change the accepted truth. In this sense, they uniquely differ from other professionals such as lawyers, priests and administrators who mainly interpret and use previous knowledge.
Science is cumulative, that is, science at any time is the total result of all that science has been up to date.Further an individual scientist's contribution, howsoever great, is absorbed into the body of scientific knowledge. The individual character of a scientist's work is lost in the general history of science and knowledge.In art and music, the works of past masters are always appreciated and sought after.In science, it is the only current state of knowledge that is which is of utmost importance as the past is fused into the present. Art and religion appeal to personal fate and sentiment. In contrast, scientific and sentiment. In contrast, scientific activity always strives to reduce personal or subjective component and build as objective a basis as possible. Results of science can always be checked, verified and repeated by anybody anywhere. This gives science a "universal" character.
The truth of science lies in its application. The final test of validity lies in testing scientific knowledge in real life, in controlling nature towards some chosen ends.
Now we will see the major functions of science, the influence of science in on society and the social factors that impede the growth of science.Science has always played a crucial role in production.Generally science thrived whenever a society had organized 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.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.