Science and Society – How Science Changes Our Lives

Science is a relatively isolated island in the societal landscape. As every other community, practicing scientists speak a dialect of the common language.

One of the tasks of science (and scientists) is, according to one of the theoretical legacies of Marx, to show that the true nature of things is different that its daily and sometimes (alienated) appearance (The development of Science; an introduction to the philosophy of science – Gerard de Vries).

Marx — the example set out in the book — was in that case a scientist who changed our thought on labor. According to Marx, human labor is exploited by capitalists. To “see” this relation you need to dig under the “apparent” superficial level. Then after economic analysis you observe that the real relation between wage and labor is deviated because of entrepreneurial profit. The cause being that workers need to pay more for a product than the wage they receive when making this (same) product.

Marx changed economic thought, but also society. His influence was paramount. Of course his background and ideology explained the direction of his theoretical thoughts, but his study was credible, based on available information of that time and based on the spirit of the time.

And this is — whether you agree with Marx or not — the way the scientific influence on society should be. Based on hard work, evidence, a vision and credibility. If your point is new, credible, innovative, challenging or otherwise interesting, there will always be someone who will catch the point and bring it to the market. If not — like the recent Pluto discussion — the credibility of science is at stake.