IGNOU FST CHAPTER 31 Q1(Assignment 2017)

Q)Detailed account on "How scientific development is influenced by social needs and perceptions"
Ans)Just as science and technology provide all the "nuts and bolts", as well as many of the ideas that hold our society together, society itself provides the environment and atmosphere for science and technology to grow fast or stagnate or even decay!Science and Technology do not exist independent of the society, its culture and the value system.They are a part of the socio-economic and political framework of a given society.

Motivation for the practical application of science and, hence its growth and use comes from the economic needs of the society. The economic planning and policy of a society determine its social programs and the purposes and goals of a society's production activity, which in turn provides the incentive for scientific growth. However answers to questions like what kind of economic policy will be pursued, whether the social program-mes will be implemented, and to what extent, depends on the political and social organizations of a society.Thus science and technology can be effected by the general policies and social structure of a society.

For example, when economic growth is purely determined by market demands, artificial demands for goods are created by advertising, even though there is no pressing need for them. Ideas of people are sought to be molded by the propaganda carried on by radio or television or even by education. The competition to produce more goods, increase profits or the desire to provide fancy goods to and influential section of a population results in one kind of development of science and technology.On the other hand, if a society desires and plans to improve rural life or give priority to public health or provide a certain level of nutrition to all citizens, the tasks and consequent development of science and technology should follow a different path.

Still another example is the question of spending money on weapon of offence or defence that naturally affects science and technology. It is known that the world today is spending Rs. 15 lakh crores (15,00,00,00,00,00,000) on weapons and their development.This not only takes away money needed to feed, clothe or provide shelter to people, but it also prevents the developments of science and technology for constructive purposes.