Exploration Assignment 3: Preliminary Development and Presentation of Possible Research Topics.
Though at first glance, science and humanities may seem to be opposites, they have many implications on each other. Many sciences have impacts on the lives of people in society and will involve government funding or are restricted by laws. Scientific issue may raise ethical questions that delve into the humanities. In preparation for the researches that we are to lead while in England, we were asked to create a preliminary development and presentation of possible research topics. "The [two] topics should reflect our personal educational interests, but should also contain aspects of science and culture that make them somehow problematic or controversial." Possible topics were proposed to us. Of them, I chose environmental sustainability and science and society.
Environmental sustainability: Science and politics
Environmental sustainability is of large concern on the University of Washington campus. The newer dorms are "economically friendly" and trashcans with recycle, compost, and trash can be seen in most parts of campus. Aside from these changes, some bathrooms have changed to a plunger that conserves water, and most dishware is compostable. The University of Washington is only a small society that places large importance on sustainability. Being in this environment, I feel the need to be educated on such a prevalent topic since it is important for us to reduce the negative impacts we have on the environment. Though this is the reason why I am interested in the topic, I would like to study how sustainability has been implicated in society. Sustainability presents a large policy issue with federal governments. Corporations and the government concern for sustainability since it may be vital for economic and military stability (Tim O'Riordan). Many laws and regulations are put into place to create a sustainable environment.
With the complicated legal system in the UK, I am curious as to how the government keeps track of sustainable development. Each individual department is responsible for making sure their policies and activities contribute to a sustainable development (Gov.uk ). How is each department striving to be environmentally sustainable? Where can we see sustainable development in the UK? Can we observe sustainable development with respect to each department? For example, how are the buildings and the environment energy-efficient or reduce waste?
The UK has a Green Building Council that campaigns for a sustainable built environment. They have many projects, one of which is installing roof terrace allotments with a "living roof" (clifftop vegetation, community composter, photovoltaic panels, etc.) I realize this is one organization; therefore, it may not have had a large impact in society yet. However, I am curious about how much of the efforts is visible in the communities. Also, sustainability also means that it has to positively affect the majority of the society (i.e. the developments must be beneficial with respect to health and cost, among other factors). I would also be concerned about the different communities. Where are the trash cans? How are the neighborhoods separated and characterized? Is there a distinction of how sustainable an environment is by the socioeconomic status of the environment? Eventually, for something to be sustainable, it will have to impact the future generations. Do people find environmental sustainability important and encourage it? How are people (specifically in the UK) educated on the sustainability of their environment? Is it widely taught in the society? To collect information to answer the questions, I could conduct interviews on the local people, explore the sites, look in databases for each department's regulations and rules, etc.
Environmental sustainability: Science and politics
Environmental sustainability is of large concern on the University of Washington campus. The newer dorms are "economically friendly" and trashcans with recycle, compost, and trash can be seen in most parts of campus. Aside from these changes, some bathrooms have changed to a plunger that conserves water, and most dishware is compostable. The University of Washington is only a small society that places large importance on sustainability. Being in this environment, I feel the need to be educated on such a prevalent topic since it is important for us to reduce the negative impacts we have on the environment. Though this is the reason why I am interested in the topic, I would like to study how sustainability has been implicated in society. Sustainability presents a large policy issue with federal governments. Corporations and the government concern for sustainability since it may be vital for economic and military stability (Tim O'Riordan). Many laws and regulations are put into place to create a sustainable environment.
With the complicated legal system in the UK, I am curious as to how the government keeps track of sustainable development. Each individual department is responsible for making sure their policies and activities contribute to a sustainable development (Gov.uk ). How is each department striving to be environmentally sustainable? Where can we see sustainable development in the UK? Can we observe sustainable development with respect to each department? For example, how are the buildings and the environment energy-efficient or reduce waste?
The UK has a Green Building Council that campaigns for a sustainable built environment. They have many projects, one of which is installing roof terrace allotments with a "living roof" (clifftop vegetation, community composter, photovoltaic panels, etc.) I realize this is one organization; therefore, it may not have had a large impact in society yet. However, I am curious about how much of the efforts is visible in the communities. Also, sustainability also means that it has to positively affect the majority of the society (i.e. the developments must be beneficial with respect to health and cost, among other factors). I would also be concerned about the different communities. Where are the trash cans? How are the neighborhoods separated and characterized? Is there a distinction of how sustainable an environment is by the socioeconomic status of the environment? Eventually, for something to be sustainable, it will have to impact the future generations. Do people find environmental sustainability important and encourage it? How are people (specifically in the UK) educated on the sustainability of their environment? Is it widely taught in the society? To collect information to answer the questions, I could conduct interviews on the local people, explore the sites, look in databases for each department's regulations and rules, etc.
Science and society: Academies, learned societies and the social construction of scientific debate
Many academic communities, such as the Royal society in London and American Academy of Arts and Sciences, exist in society. Membership is restricted and a matter of prestige in most cases. They gather and present their works to each other. During these conferences, ideas are shared and through debates, new ideas are formed, which ultimately leads to a paradigm shift. I am interested in these learned societies because in Autumn Quarter of 2013, I took a class that discussed the philosophy of science (among other topics such as the concept of "space"). We read many excerpts from philosophical writings, one of which included Thomas Kuhn's The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. Thomas Kuhn is one of the most influential philosophers of science of the twentieth century and created the idea of paradigm shifts (revolutionary science). He explains that the shifts happen when scientists encounter anomalies that cannot be explained with the current paradigm. Over time and sometime through much controversy, people begin to accept the new paradigm. The constant shifts indicate that whatever theory or concept is believed is simply a social construct. There is nothing definite about science.
I would like to extend my knowledge on the philosophy of science and revisit the ideas that I learned autumn quarter. How has scientific knowledge developed throughout the years? Is the change apparent in our society? If so, how? What academies exist? What are the current debates in these academies? How do the paradigm shifts affect the people? I would be able to answer these questions, mostly, by reading the papers by the philosophers. However, I could also observe whether there is a difference in the built environment that reflects the paradigm shifts.
Many academic communities, such as the Royal society in London and American Academy of Arts and Sciences, exist in society. Membership is restricted and a matter of prestige in most cases. They gather and present their works to each other. During these conferences, ideas are shared and through debates, new ideas are formed, which ultimately leads to a paradigm shift. I am interested in these learned societies because in Autumn Quarter of 2013, I took a class that discussed the philosophy of science (among other topics such as the concept of "space"). We read many excerpts from philosophical writings, one of which included Thomas Kuhn's The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. Thomas Kuhn is one of the most influential philosophers of science of the twentieth century and created the idea of paradigm shifts (revolutionary science). He explains that the shifts happen when scientists encounter anomalies that cannot be explained with the current paradigm. Over time and sometime through much controversy, people begin to accept the new paradigm. The constant shifts indicate that whatever theory or concept is believed is simply a social construct. There is nothing definite about science.
I would like to extend my knowledge on the philosophy of science and revisit the ideas that I learned autumn quarter. How has scientific knowledge developed throughout the years? Is the change apparent in our society? If so, how? What academies exist? What are the current debates in these academies? How do the paradigm shifts affect the people? I would be able to answer these questions, mostly, by reading the papers by the philosophers. However, I could also observe whether there is a difference in the built environment that reflects the paradigm shifts.
Comments/Feedback:
Rob Corser: Both are great topics...! They seem to differ in the kind of evidence you might seek out while in the UK. Sustainability -science and politics will have some very visible effects on the built environment. And debates will be pretty well documented. Science and Society is fascinating -and has deep historical roots that you can explore right where a lot of the debate took place (and still takes place). The 'paradigm shift' concept is really powerful -i.e. -what happens when long-held ideas are placed in doubt? A sort of social / intellectual crisis. Great stuff... (01 May 2014, 4:40PM)