Social Sciences Essay: Why Study Science?

Why Study Science?
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Institution
Why Study Science?
Science plays an important role in the world. For years, mankind has used science to make their life better. Through science, the world has experienced immense changes. Yet, to better understand these changes, the study of science is necessary, whether in the field of sociology, economics, or technology. Science, as defined by Derry (1999), "is the active and creative engagement of our minds with nature in an attempt to understand." Science is a continuous process by which mankind tries to understand the world and all it entails. Often, science and religion have differing views about the world and how it is interpreted. Unlike religion, science conveys facts that can be interpreted using the human senses (Derry, 1999). These facts are also used to provide meaning behind certain occurrences. The meaning of occurrences from a religious point of view, however, is different because it does not rely on facts but rather on more than can be identified through the human senses. However, the purpose of this paper is to discuss why the study of science is important. Science has been included in school curriculums so that from a younger age, people can embrace science and all it has to offer, even if they will never pursue a career in the sciences. Studying science can create a better understanding of environmental and societal issues, improve the quality of life, and enhance human survival.
Understanding Environmental and Societal Issues
Currently, the world has become plagued with environmental and societal issues, and it is of utmost importance that they are addressed. However, this can only be achieved if people first understand these issues. This is where studying science comes in. There has been a myriad of environmental issues ranging from waste disposal to resource depletion and climate change. Science has been used to facilitate effective decision-making, especially when it comes to the environment. For instance, scientific evidence gathered as a result of studying science has been used to inform environmental policies (Voulvoulis & Burgman, 2019). Based on scientific information, policies to reduce carbon emissions have been put in place in response to the threat of climate change and global warming. This is especially important because global warming has become a major issue of concern in the public sphere. Even though Voulvoulis and Burgman (2019) reveal that the politicization of science, especially when it comes to global warming, has affected the public's trust in scientists, science remains the only viable option to create a better understanding of environmental issues. Studying science and providing the public with consistent information about environmental issues will increase the integrity of scientific evidence and, ultimately, help address environmental issues. Voulvoulis and Burgman (2019) posit that the integration of scientific evidence from diverse sources and understanding the ecological situation is the only way that environmental issues can be addressed. But, scientific evidence can only be gathered from diverse sources if people study science and all that it entails.
When it comes to an understanding of societal issues, science p...