Isaac Newton
Charles Darwin
Enrico Fermi
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Individuals
in science have perhaps impacted civilazations and societies in a historical
context more than individuals in any other field or discipline. The
degree and the diversity of scientific impact on mankind is amazing to even ponder.
Scientists have impacted society in almost every aspect of life imaginable including
communications, pyschology, mortality rates (both increasing and decreasing), agriculture,
population growht, standard of living and almost every technological gadget you see, to
name just a few things. Scientists from history's path are with you every minute of
your life from the vulcanized rubber you walk on with sneakers to right now when you stare
at a computer monitor. Scientists such as evolutionary biologists and
paleontologists have already even taken over the field of historians on the subject of
primitive human history. Historians themselves use carbon dating , a scientific
technique, to date the time period of valuable historical artifacts. What is even more
intriguining is that a great amount of gratitude and emphasis on these scientific figures
has been neglected in a historical context. A common trend in the history of
scientists is that the scientists' significance and contributions are generally not
recognized by his contemporary world. Therefore, a scientist's impact can go
unnoticed for generations and even then is only recognized by the scientific
community. Indeed, it is a shame that individuals with such far reaching
consequences in the world do not even recognize the importance of their own work. In
regards to the study of individual and his historical impact on society, their is no
better substitute than the study of scientific individuals. Not only are their
impacts far reaching in regards to changing important social trends and technology etc.,
but these historical changes are solely caused by these individuals scientitsts. There is
something singularly characteristic of an important scientific figure, his creativity, his
ambition, his intelligence, which has caused these dramatic changes in
civilization. Moreover, in regards to impact and influence scientists
continually influence other scientists who make even greater scientific discoveries and
inventions. We can see this if we scroll down and look to the left.
Enrico Fermi could not have made a nuclear reaction
without the knowledge produced by Marie Curie and her discovery of radiation. Thus,
individuals in science cause influence and change of great magnitude both in and out of
their discipline. I have a particular affinity to studying medical scientists and
discoverers because humans have nothing without their health. Not only have medical
scientists and physicians increased the quality of life and decreased mortality rates, but
they are responsible for the most amazing (and frightening) historical impact of the
twentieth century, exponential human population growth. Therefore, my biography will
focus on the medical field of science. I chose the category, science, not only
because scientists have shaped society greatly, but also because I am a double major in
biology and history. In our historiography class we have learned that history must use a
variety of disciplines to uncover the past, including science. Therefore, as you
peruse my final project, please consider the connections between science and history. |
Sigmund Frued
Marie Curie |
