Even though industrialization and scientific advancement improved the standard of living for millions around the world, they also exacerbated human suffering on a multitude of levels. Let’s not forget it is that same scientific community that created the atomic bomb, nerve gas, automatic firearms, and an array of other cruel ways to kill and maim human beings. All technological advancement has come hand-in-hand with suffering. This Vonnegut quote referencing his passionate “disgust with civilization” makes his commentary in Cat’s Cradle all the more interesting to me.
Yes science did create the atomic bomb, nerve gas, and automatic firearms but like you said it also improves the lives of people everywhere everyday. With science and technology at where they are now, our standard of living is so much higher than that of even just 70 years ago. And even though the atom bomb killed thousands, one could argue that it saved just as many (or maybe even more). Id also like to point out that a good number of violent wars are started over religion.
ReplyDeleteThe connection between religion and science is present on the battlefield. As Alyssa states, violent wars are started over religion. Look at the Iraq War, the War on Terrorism. A combination of unsettled nations and the extremist muslim faith is ultimately what has our soldiers over seas. I am not trying to get involved or spark a debate with politics because I am not involved enough to know. The science comes after, with the firearms, car bombs, mines. Science is destructive as Vonnegut also illustrated with ice-nine. Perhaps Bokononism can even be pulled into the scenario and perhaps the extreme Bokononist faith was the cause of ice-nine and the use to "end the world".
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