Blog #22

This section of Pennock’s book is unique as it paints a different perspective on scientific virtues and practice by highlighting a darker issue. Throughout this book thus far, the chapters focused on the benefits and objectives of scientific virtues, and overall encourages scientists to maintain such virtues in order to achieve their eudemonia, or a path towards flourishing. However, this chapter offers a pessimistic viewpoint that alters the stereotype that scientists are all knowing and invincible.

            This chapter is especially fascinating as it reveals the negative side of science, especially the gray area where virtues transition into vices. I strongly believe that this is an important area to highlight, as science is often perceived as being infallible; however it is significant to note that scientists are indeed humans like everyone else and are subjected to making the same mistakes. This chapter does a great job humanizing scientists, similar to that of the autobiographies that we previously analyzed in class. However, I also believe that innocence should not be treated as ignorance in the path of scientific research. This mindset is in reference to the infamous Manhattan Project, where teams of scientists were devoted towards efforts in harnessing nuclear energy and ultimately created a mass weapon. As a result, I do not believe that in this situation it is appropriate to label these scientists as completely “innocent.” In a small degree I do believe they were innocent as they attempted to understand the mechanism underlying atomic energy, but as they gradually learned of its potential I believe that their innocence transformed into ignorance, as they did not appropriately monitor their immense progress.

            This concept ties back to Einstein’s book, “Ideas and Opinions” where he illustrates the idea of virtues becoming vices, in relation to the creation of the H-bomb. Specifically, he indirectly references the virtue of curiosity, which is also highlighted in this chapter of Pennock’s book. The popular idiom that “curiosity will kill the cat” does in some ways contain a hint of truth as the creation of the H-bomb literally resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians. In order to balance virtues without them turning into vices, I believe that scientists should become active participants in deciding how to properly utilize/distribute such innovations. In reference to the Manhattan Project, Einstein admits in his book that after scientists created the H-bomb, they must be actively involved in the decision-making process that is associated with their creations. Since scientists are the experts in their own creations, they need to also be knowledgeable about the possible impacts it might have; thus their opinions should be immensely valued and trusted.

Dr. Pennock then plays devil’s advocate by suggesting that those that are expressing curiosity are only doing so to practice their virtues to the fullest extent and are not doing any wrongs. I do agree with this statement, but again to a degree. Just as there are limits to values such as freedom of speech, I strongly support the idea that virtues must be controlled as well, as it will limit the chances of scientists creating something where its aftereffects might be more harmful than helpful.