Science as the search for truth and the foundation of modern morality

In this reply to Professor Nikiforov, the author critically discusses Nikiforov's arguments according to which science is inseparable from technology and has made a very small contribution to the moral development of the humanity. For each of these two points, the author argues that no convincing justification has been provided for them, and that they are false. In his discussion of the first thesis, the author argues that Nikiforov's arguments have not established a necessary connection between science and technology to argue that they are two component parts of a unique phenomenon. His description is just as well compatible with science and technology being completely different enterprises which only happen to co-operate within society. The author draws examples from history of science showing that a well-developed science could co-exist with a poorly developed technology further suggesting that the two phenomena have a different nature. The author also points out that in order for Nikiforov's thesis to stand, it must be shown that mathematical and logical research is not detached from applications and that its object of study can be reduced to the applications that mathematics and logic have. Finally, the author appeals to a novel research in STS suggesting that scientific ethos is special and has an impact on a scientist making the enterprise of science unique. Against the second thesis, the author points out that the idea that science and technology have not contributed to the moral development of human beings must be justified by a number of arguments. Among these arguments is an argument according to which science itself has no moral or artistic value. In other words, it must be shown that developing a scientific theory does not contribute to the esthetic legacy of the humanity. And if we assume the contrary (i.e. that the beauty of a scientific theory is on a par with the beauty of a musical symphony) we will get a direct refutation of Nikiforov's thesis. Finally, the author brings up evidence provided in Pinker (2011) suggesting that science has been one of the factors that allowed the humanity to reach a significant decline in hostility and violence.

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