Sparks from the Spirit

Transcription

1 Sparks from the Spirit From Science to Innovation, Development, and Sustainability Yongyuth Yuthavong

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3 Sparks from the Spirit

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5 Sparks from the Spirit From Science to Innovation, Development, and Sustainability Yongyuth Yuthavong

6 Published by Pan Stanford Publishing Pte. Ltd. Penthouse Level, Suntec Tower 3 8 Temasek Boulevard Singapore editorial@panstanford.com Web: British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Sparks from the Spirit: From Science to Innovation, Development, and Sustainability Copyright 2018 by Pan Stanford Publishing Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage and retrieval system now known or to be invented, without written permission from the publisher. For photocopying of material in this volume, please pay a copying fee through the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, USA. In this case permission to photocopy is not required from the publisher. ISBN (Hardcover) ISBN (ebook)

7 To Onchuma, Namon, and Rasa

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9 Book Reviews This book has an important message for anyone concerned about the future of mankind and our planet. Elegantly and concisely, Prof. Yuthavong traces our efforts through millennia to understand this world and ourselves and science s pivotal role therein. He notes science s evolving nature (we still don t have a single theory or a theory of everything) but rightly emphasizes that scientific advances and innovations in and of themselves will not be enough for a sustainable future; they must be coupled with a better understanding of human nature and human society (where science could also be of great help) and supported by good policies and good governance. He also warns us against some of the current practices that could have disastrous consequences and highlights the importance of sustainability in all our current and future development endeavors. Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei Nobel Peace Prize winner, Former Vice President of Egypt, and Director General Emeritus, International Atomic Energy Agency, Austria Prof. Yuthavong guides us through an absorbing panorama of human progress ignited by sparks from the spirit of science throughout all ages and across all continents. He writes with humility and deep conviction that scientific and technology innovations tempered by social justice and common humanity will lead humankind to sustainability. Academician Dato Ir. (Dr.) Lee Yee Cheong, Chairman, UNESCO International Scientific, Technology and Innovation Centre for South-South Cooperation Prof. Yuthavong revitalizes the concepts of science and innovation in Sparks from the Spirit. He displays a passionate love affair with science and lights a match that will surely enable any nonscientist to find his or her way in a dark room. People like me will be enticed to reach for more books about science. Mechai Viravaidya, Population and Community Development Association, Thailand

10 viii Book Reviews This most informative and enthralling narrative, anchored with a sound knowledge of science and the highest levels of public policy decision making, authoritatively links creativity, wonder, exploration, inventiveness, and development with the central role of science, sparking the quest for sustainability since the dawn of civilization. The book is well structured. The chapters can be read sequentially or as stand-alone chapters with specific themes and thrust and with historical and contemporary examples. Sparks from the Spirit is an invaluable resource for arousing interest and igniting action, particularly in decision makers in governments, business, and academia, toward a sustainable future and beyond. The book provides many inputs into various aspects of sustainability for both society and the environment. Nay Htun Founder and Hon. Patron, Green Economy Green Growth Association, Myanmar For most laypersons, science is at best worthy but dry and boring or at worst the root of our major problems. Where Sparks from the Spirit excels is in pointing out the beauty of science and its role in inspiring a sense of wonder and the urge to explore. It highlights the openended nature of the enterprise, always growing, always embracing new dimensions. The book shows that science is not just a European invention but has major contributions from Asia (especially China and India) and Arab/Islamic civilisations. Through numerous examples, the book also conveys a rich array of scientific discoveries benefitting humanity. Sir Gustav Nossal, Former President of the Australian Academy of Science, former President of the International Union of Immunological Societies, and Australian of the Year 2000

11 Contents ix Contents Preface Background and Acknowledgments Synopsis Guide to the Contents of the Book xiii xv xvii xxi 1. The Spirit of Science The Fires within Us Spirit Arising from the Fires Knowledge Gained from the Spirit of Science Physical Sciences Earth science Space and fundamental physics Chemistry and Materials Science Structure of atoms and molecules Synthetic and natural product chemistry Materials science Life and Medical Sciences Molecular biology Medical and veterinary sciences Plant sciences Human and Social Sciences Turning the Spirit into Action The Spirit Has Sparks Sparks from the Spirit and Their Effects Little Sparks, Great Flames Sparks as Ideas Sparks as Innovations Management of Sparks: Reaping and Sharing Benefits 45

12 x Contents 2.6 Sparks as Development Sparks toward Sustainability Nurturing the Spirit, Enhancing the Sparks Keeping the Spirit Alive The Role of Education in Nurturing the Spirit and Enhancing the Sparks Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics as Content Society and Environment as a Context Nurturing the Spirit: Absorption and Building of Knowledge Enhancing the Sparks: Critical Success Factors Cultivating the Brain Human Thinking Can Be Cultivated Science Helps Cultivate Thinking Cultivating Imagination and Creativity Cultivating Psychomotor Skills Cultivating Passion Which Side of the Brain to Cultivate Cultivating Multiple Intelligences Creating Sparks from the Spirit Making the Connection between the Spirit and the Sparks The Importance of Scientific Knowledge Imagination Is More Important Than Knowledge From Imagination to Creativity and Inventiveness Learning Creativity and Inventiveness From Idea to Practice Guidance by Passion, Curiosity, and Inquisitiveness Aiming for a Target and Checking for Novelty Planning and Execution Tenacity and Hard Work Organization and Networking Going through to the Finishing Line 109

13 Contents xi 6. What Is Science For? The Many Purposes of Science Science as a Source of Knowledge and of Methods for Problem Solving Helping Us Understand the Nature of Things Helping Us in Daily Life Helping Us Solve Present and Future Problems Science for Intellect and Wisdom Science as a Source of Technology and as a Societal Tool Science for Benefits Science for Humanity and the Environment Present and New Challenges A Scorecard for Science Challenges to Science Challenges from within Science Is Science Finished? What Kinds of Science? Who Should Share in Doing Science? Challenges to Science from Societal and Environmental Problems Challenges in Health Challenges in Food Challenges in Living and for the Environment Challenges in Sustainable Production and Consumption Addressing the Base of the Pyramid The Base of the Pyramid: A Latent Power Too Poor to Afford Health? Too Poor to Feed Themselves? Small Is Beautiful and Appropriate Technology Science for the Base of the Pyramid Dangers and Risks in the Sparks Light and Shadows of Science and Technology Risks from Science and Technology: Assessment and Management 183

14 xii Contents 9.3 Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications of Science and Technology Bioethical Issues Ethical and Related Issues on Information Technology and Robotics Environmental Ethics Toward Good Governance in Science and Technology Sparks for Sustainable Development Lessons from the Past Ecosystems Human Societies Roads to Realization of Our Problems Sustainable Development Goals The Role of Science toward Achieving Sustainable Development Goals Sustainability Science as a Key to Sustainable Development Moving Beyond Sustainability Are We Moving Toward or Away from Sustainability? Beyond Beyond Sustainability Sustainability and Happiness Sparks for the Future Sharing Life with Artificial Intelligence Enhancing Our Own Life and Lifespan Improving Our Society and Environment Message to the Universe 251 Bibliography 255 Index 259

15 Preface xiii Preface This book traces the links between science, which is the human quest for knowledge, and sustainable development. Science contains all knowledge about nature, which we obtain by asking questions, observing, and experimenting in attempts to find answers and make rational conclusions. It is a common heritage of humankind, stemming from curiosity, imagination, and experience in seeking explanations to understand all things around us. The spirit of scientific enquiries leads further, from an understanding of our problems to solutions that enable us to survive and develop. The sparks originating from the spirit of science lead to innovation and are essential for achieving sustainable development, which benefits us all, including the poor and the disadvantaged, whose needs are most acute. The book points out that common people as well as government and business have big, potential roles to play in sustainable development, a major spark with one of its roots in the spirit of science. The book is intended for a general, especially young readership. I hope it appeals to those curious about the nature of science and the benefits it brings, together with possible pitfalls it may have. It begins with the role that science plays in contributing to the quality and content of learning of individuals. It then explores the effects of science on societies, highlighting the opportunities it gives to newly developing societies that can overcome obstacles in order to achieve sustainable development. It is written in nontechnical language, with illustrations, case studies, practical examples, and historical perspectives. It is intended to create both an understanding of science and an appreciation of the role it plays in human development. I am a professional scientist with a broad interest in social and economic development, especially of developing countries. I have combined my technical background as a research scientist and administrator with my expertise in policy and practice derived from experience as former Minister of Science and Technology and former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand. Yongyuth Yuthavong 2018

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17 Background and Acknowledgments Sparks from the Spirit takes up the theme of the nature and purpose of science, with the aim of communicating with general readers, including young people who may be curious about the work of scientists and their impact on society. It originated from the talk entitled What Is Science For?, given as the 2011 annual invitation lecture in honor of Prof. Dr. Puey Ungphakorn, former president of Thammasat University. He was recognized by UNESCO recently, on the occasion of his 100th anniversary, as one of the world s most important people for his impeccable ethics and his role in national development. Important for me personally, he was my beloved uncle, who deeply influenced my life and career. The talk was subsequently published as a book in Thai under the same name, with support from the Crown Property Bureau of Thailand. My participation in the work of the Thailand Sustainable Development Foundation has provided me with further ideas on the sparks from the spirit of science, especially those concerning sustainable development. I would like to thank Dr. Chirayu Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya for his continuing support and encouragement. Thanks are due to Thamrong Prinyakanit (GPEN) for cartoon drawings, which greatly enliven this book. Phil Shaw has been very helpful in editing this book. Thanks are also due to Dato Lee Yee Cheong for advice and help in various stages of the book, and to Dr. Mahamed ElBaradei, Dato Lee Yee Cheong, Mechai Viravaidya, Dr. Nay Htun, and Sir Gustav Nossal for their reviews of the book. I would also like to thank Archana Ziradkar and Jenny Rompas, who have given much help in the publishing process.

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19 Synopsis A long-lasting activity not just over a few years or a few generations but from the dawn of civilization must have a spirit. The spirit encompasses the essence of the activity, which engages all concerned in a continuing process handed down from generation to generation, with increased and more refined contents. The spirit of science never dies. When we talk of the spirit of a nation, we believe that the nation will live on and flourish, even though it may encounter difficulties from threats of war or domination by others. When we talk of the spirit of a person, we believe that his or her character lives on, even though he or she may have departed from the world. The spirit of science is not only a continuing entity but also one that has grown and evolved over past millennia. As a body of knowledge about nature obtained through experiments and observation, science began as early as, or perhaps even earlier than, the moment when humans discovered fire and learned to make various tools. Wonders about nature, curiosity, and the sense of exploration must have arisen with the dawn of human evolution. All ancient civilizations had science as knowledge to guide their everyday lives, lumped together at first with other branches of knowledge. Early science evolved in a few places, including Greece, Egypt, and the Arab world, into distinct areas of astronomy, physics, medicine, and alchemy, which later gave rise to chemistry. Civilizations of the East, notably China and India, gave rise to a parallel development of science, some of which later merged with that of Europe and the Middle East through trade and other contacts. The age of Renaissance from the 14th century saw the flowering of science in Europe. Application of scientific discoveries the sparks from the spirit of science in production and services gave rise to a major transition in Europe, called the Industrial Revolution. The spirit of science and its sparks spread worldwide with growing momentum, helped by international trade, industry, and other human interactions, to the present age of the post Industrial Revolution, with major advances in information

20 xviii Synopsis technology, technology of materials and their production, and technology of health and life, down to the details of human cognition. Such advances have been mostly exploited successfully in the developed countries, which already have the infrastructure and people who are ready to move forward. However, many developing countries, where the majority of people are still struggling just for day-to-day survival, have not had significant benefits from scientific advances in the past. They now enjoy better opportunities given by science-based technologies, including greater connectivity, to help along the process of development. International effort is needed, in addition to indigenous efforts, to make sure that developing countries can fully reap the benefits of science and technology. The spirit of science that gives rise to its success is due to contributions of scientists, who must be nurtured over several years before they can mature to be productive, together with many partners. Curiosity, and the creativity that comes with it, is the most important character for productive science. Curiosity is innate in every child, but it has a tendency to wane because of various factors as we grow older, including inadequate societal encouragement, distractions, and even discouragement as a consequence of peer pressure to conform to the norms in many societies. The urge to invent is also innate in many children, and again it tends to fade away once they grow up, for lack of sufficient encouragement, opportunities, and distractions. It is therefore important to have an education system that encourages thinking, learning, and doing things by oneself. Such an education system integrates basic science with applied science and technology, together with other aspects of learning, hence both nurturing the spirit of science and enhancing the sparks from this spirit. While such a system may already be largely in place in many developed countries, it is lacking in most developing countries. The sparks from science include innovations and various applications, contributing to economic benefits and human wellness, in turn leading to development and sustainability. The benefits to many aspects of human life are so amazing as to invite comparison with fairy tales. However, access to these benefits is not universal, with those at the bottom of the pyramid often missing out. The imbalance of benefit sharing threatens the stability of society. Consideration should therefore be made, in public policy and general public consciousness, to ensure that the benefits of science

21 Synopsis xix and technology reach all members of society. Likewise, the poorest nations should no longer be neglected and denied the benefits of science, now that the world is more interconnected than at any time in history. In spite of benefits from science and technology, we must be cautious of potentially adverse effects, many of which require ethical, social, and legal considerations. Products of science and technology, such as powerful weapons, have been used to destroy lives, although some are justified politically as deterrents. Information technology, which has revolutionized almost all aspects of our lives, has been used as a powerful tool of sabotage. Looming around the corner, the use of stem cells and genetic modification of humans and animals, with tantalizing promises for health and production of food, stand the risk of becoming misappropriated by ill-intentioned people or simply for change of life forms without due consideration of longterm implications. The myriad of benefits that science brings come mainly from technology associated with it and not directly from science itself. Science provides the tools of technology, essential for production and services, and yet these benefits do not constitute the direct purpose of science, which is to obtain knowledge concerning nature. This can be extended further to include knowledge about our own inventions. Technology provides the know-how and leads to products and services, which we invent, not just by trial and error, but also by reasoned maneuver based on scientific knowledge. The new millennium is seeing most nations engaged in efforts to achieve goals of sustainable development, including the end of poverty, universal health coverage, and equal opportunities for all regardless of gender, age, or origin of birth. Such goals should be achievable with the aid of science and technology. Contributions to sustainable development would be the big sparks of the spirit of science for the new millennium and thereafter.

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23 Guide to the Contents of the Book This book is written for those who are broadly interested in the nature of science and its sparks as benefits for society, using mainly nontechnical language, and it is hoped that this book will help bridge the gap between science and the society at large. For this book, the spirit is the spirit of science and the sparks are benefits or, in some cases risks and dangers, derived from science. Chapter 1 ( The Spirit of Science ) introduces the reader to the essence of science, which has a spirit born in all of us, growing in strength in some and decaying in others. Chapter 2 ( The Spirit Has Sparks ) points out that for those whose spirit has grown strong, sparks can be produced in the forms of discoveries, innovations, and development. Chapter 3 ( Nurturing the Spirit, Enhancing the Sparks ) makes a case for growing the spirit of science and enhancing the sparks from it through collaboration with people who can help in bringing science benefits to society. Chapter 4 ( Cultivating the Brain ) gives importance to the role of education in growing the spirit of science and enhancing the sparks from it. Chapter 5 ( Creating Sparks from the Spirit ) points out that creativity and inventiveness are needed to produce sparks from the spirit, not just knowledge and skills. Chapter 6 ( What Is Science For? ) examines the dual purpose of science in acquiring knowledge and obtaining the benefits derived from it. Chapter 7 ( Present and New Challenges ) asks what challenges remain and what the new challenges for science and its sparks are. Chapter 8 ( Addressing the Base of the Pyramid ) emphasizes the use of science for the benefits of the disadvantaged and deprived populations of the world. Chapter 9 ( Dangers and Risks in the Sparks ) raises ethical, social, and legal issues in science and technology, which can produce both unintended risks and dangers and have been used in destructive manners. Chapter 10 ( Sparks for Sustainable Development ) explores the role of science in contributing toward sustainable development, and Chapter 11 ( Moving Beyond Sustainability ) looks further to its role in the future, where issues beyond mere sustainability loom large for humanity.

24 xxii Guide to the Contents of the Book This book can be read from beginning to end in a linear manner. However, selected chapters can also be read independently by readers who want to visit particular aspects. For example, those who would like to see the links between science and education can start at Chapter 4, and those who are interested in the potential role of science for relief of poverty and people at the base of the pyramid can go to Chapter 8. Those interested mainly in the ethical, social, and legal aspects of science and technology can go directly to Chapter 9. It is hoped that this book will help in an understanding of the spirit of science and its sparks and in our common search for a sustainable world and hopefully the bright future beyond.