Effects of Ideological Control of Science

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Effects of Ideological Control of Science
In a brief description an ideology can be termed as a system of ideas that aim to explain the world and even change it. Modern-day scientific research faces a lot of ideological influence, which leads to the bending of some ethical laws and questions on humanity being raised. Although ideological control of science might have some positive outcomes, in the long run, it still has negative implications on the subjects. Based on ideas from Paul R. Josephson, Totalitarian Science and Technology, second edition, this essay focuses on some of the effects of ideological control in the field of science.
Totalitarian control of science is what dictators use in efforts to gain industrial and military power. Josephson describes several examples of totalitarian control of science. One of them is Adolf Hitler, leader of the Nazis, who is said to have loved “super weapons” and funded expensive research in institutions for their mass production. Joseph Stalin of the Soviet Union also closely kept track of the Soviet atomic bomb project. During Hitler’s regime, it is again mentioned that his doctors performed concentration camp experiments on prisoners against their will. Another instance of dictatorial control of science mentioned is during Trofim Lysenko’s regime in the Soviet Union, where he used his power to require the rejection of modern genetics. The author also gives another instance where Andrei Sakharov, together with the leading Chinese theoretical physicist, Fang Lizhi, spent many years in exile for openly criticizing their governments’ human rights records (9).
By 1900, governments realized the importance of science in medicine, health, agriculture, and national defense, hereby setting up research facilities (Josephson 11). With influence from these governments, ideology has shaped the understanding of scientific claims in a manner that tends to ignore ethics, probably arguing that it is “for the greater good.” They carry out such operations to dominate and control all power centers such as business, agriculture, church, and other interest groups. Some of these operations involve inhumane tests being done on people in controlled environments. Such activities not being ethical explain why some are usually totally hidden from the general public because they would obviously raise questions and cause unrest. This is not at all in the best interest of the ruling party. Having expounded on how ideology has shaped scientific claims’ understanding in this section, the next section will discuss ho...