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Running head: SCIENCE AS A KEYWORD
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Science as a Keyword
Science as a Keyword
According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), science refers to knowledge about
the structure and behavior of the natural and physical world, based on facts that you can prove,
for example by experiments (Oxford Learners Dictionary, 2023). Another meaning of science is
that it is the study of science. It is all that is associated with the discipline including science
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teachers, science students, science classes, and many others. Apart from the above, the OED
defines science as a particular branch of science. Each branch of science is a science on its own.
The best example of this is biological sciences, natural sciences, physical sciences, computer
science, earth science, political science, soil science, social science, rocket science, information
science, life sciences, food science, and many others (Oxford Learners Dictionary, 2023). Apart
from the above, another definition of science is a system for organizing the knowledge about a
particular subject, especially one that deals with aspects of human behavior or society. The best
example of this is creation science, Christian Science and many others. As such, science is a
branch of knowledge on a specific subject or area and can be broadened and expanded as more
discovery and knowledge unfolds. The word science comes from the Latin word scientia, which
has scire that means know. However, the modern use of the word science came from the late 18th
century when it was used in French and later in English (Oxford Learners Dictionary, 2023).
In Sand County Almanac, the word science contributes moral as well as material
blessings to the world. According to the author, science contributes to morality because it
emphasizes on objectivity or use of the scientific point of view. Science emphasizes on doubting
everything except facts. This means that only that which is provable is essential and beneficial.
The author emphasizes on the need to grasp the facts, use them in arguments and building cases,
and leave human understanding and speculation aside. The author also indicates that just like a
river, science requires many people in order for the many people to contribute to more inventions
since humanity always needs inventions. The author indicates that science is a category of logic
and needs to be expanded in every aspect and sphere.
Carson (1962) indicates that no science-fiction nightmare can equal the power of this
authentic and chilling portrait of the un-seen destroyers, which have already begun to change the
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shape of the life as we know it. Carson (1962) adds that reporting about science should not take a
complicated turn of events, but rather use nonprofessional intelligence. The author emphasizes
that science reporters should focus on balancing their tone and language to ensure that the
audience understands what they are communicating. The author connects the science of life and
a balance in nature since they are closely related. The author adds that destruction of the science
of life, which includes what the human is doing and what they have done, leads to the science of
death. Apart from this, the author adds that President Kennedy set up a panel of Science
Advisory Committee to help in the study of pesticides. It is evident that the president had great
faith and hope in the power of science. He understood that a panel of scientists could come up
with appropriate suggestions and advice on how to address the issue of pesticides.
In the same book, Carson (1962) indicates that pest management is the same as the
science of range management, which entails ensuring that large parcels of land do not have
interference of pests and other plant-eating insects. The author indicates that pests feed on
restricted diets and the study of this could be used to man’s advantage. In the same book, the
author talks about the science project involving a collection of insecticide-poisoned birds. The
science project is definitely a warning of the dangers that pest control mechanisms can have on
the larger ecosystem of animals and plants. It is evident that the introduction of pesticides in the
farm causes a chain of links between the plant and insects then larger organisms that feed on the
insects. The final consumer of the pest infused insects would eventually end up dead. This is a
negative chain of reaction since the pest was only meant to kill the insects for pest control
purposes but the pest extends its impact beyond what was targeted. This is a warning to most
farmers and the larger environment management team that there is need for precautions not to
harm the environment and organisms in the quest to manage a single species of organisms.
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Another instance in which science is used is when referring to the Cranbrook Institute of
science at Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, which took upon its interests to pursue and understand the
extent of the loss of birds because of spraying the elms. The institute ventured on the
examination of all the birds brought in as poisoned and determined that there were 63 different
species of birds that were examined,, which includes 12 robins. In another context, the word
science is used to refer to the Pacific Science Congress, which recommended an international
effort to search for the unknown spawning grounds for fish farming on a large scale. The context
also shows that spraying of pests is associated with killing of fish in ponds and rivers. The report
shows that in a pond containing 120,000 milkfish, at least half of the fish died due to spray plane
that passed over the pond releasing its chemicals. The report also shows that fish can also be
killed nearly 100 to 200 miles downstream after heavy spraying up field. Carson (1962) also
talks about science when referring to specialists representing various areas of the field of biology
including pathologists, entomologists, geneticists, ecologists, biochemists, and physiologists. The
author indicates that all these specializing professionals contribute to the new science of biotic
controls and should help to navigate the challenges occurring due to use of pests in farms. The
author quotes Professor Carl. P. Swanson, a professor at John’s Hopkins indicates that any
science can be likened to a river. The professor likened any science to the river because like a
river it requires – obscure and unpretentious beginning, a wide stretch of time and application,
with rapids and slows, with periods of droughts and periods of fullness, and with momentum by
the work of many investigators. He added that like a river, a science requires feeding by many
steams of thoughts and models, deepened and widened in various aspects, as well as broadened
to ensure that there is value and purpose of the science. I conquer with the professor that every
science grows from a single thought or idea to develop many models, theories, and knowledge
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that supports success of the science in addressing human issues and needs. As such, all sciences
are still evolving into the finite use of knowledge, information, and technology to achieve the
best value for humanity. One idea that emanates from this understanding of science is that the
branches of science are still evolving and more branches of science are expected to come up in
the near future. Discovery and invention is what pushes science beyond limits, exploding into
more finite science branches and categories. It is also evident that science is developed to address
a specific human need and problem. As an example, food science helps to classify and
understand food value and mechanisms of improving the nutritional value of meals for various
categories of meal such as the diabetic, those with asthma, those with mental related issues
among others.
In yet another context, Carson (1962) uses the word science to refer to the biological
control in 1962 at the time of the publication of the book as having its beginning a century
earlier. The author also adds that there is need to feed new strains of thought into the new
biological science of chemical control of pests to enhance it and ensure there is success in
preserving both plants and the environment. As such, although the idea began with many
negative outcomes in the natural environment, especially organisms, there is need to advance and
enhance it rather than shutting it down because it has invaluable benefits to farmers if it is
managed appropriately according to expert directions. The new approach of pest management
would entail using the strengths of a species and the life forces of the insect to destroy it
completely. There is need for mechanisms of turning the plant into an ambiguous and disastrous
element in the pests’ environment.
Another context in which Carson (1962) uses the word science is when referring to forest
hygiene. The forest hygiene refers to the natural processes set in place to clear dirt or waste and
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restore balance and sanity in the natural processes and relationships between organisms. The
author notes that birds, ants, spiders, and soil bacteria lay a critical role in ensuring there is
natural forest hygiene and wastes and dirt is kept afar. Although the trees are the dominant
members of the forest, the environment has many other organisms and species that act on dead
matter and destroyed matter for purposes of giving new trees and growth life. As such, they
nourish and enhance the quality of the forest soil. Apart from the above animals that participate
in cleaning, worms and borrowings rodents also play a role in mixing soil and ensuring that all
organisms that die or waste away are utilized appropriately into the environment. In line with the
statement by Carson (1962) is the fact that large size animals also belong to the forest and they
equally play a role in balancing the forest hygiene order and balance. As an example, the
predators ensure that the herbivores do not grow in population to overpower the available
grazing grasslands by feeding on them. This creates a balanced natural environment with the
forest hygiene cycle at work. In yet another context, Carson (1962) uses science to refer to the
Stone Age science, which marked the beginning of the study of applied entomology. In the same
breadth, the author writes that the natural environment was created for the benefit and
convenience of man. Therefore, humans need to protect the environment and care for all species
to ensure that they gain the most value and benefits from the delicate natural environment. Based
on this argument, the author indicates that those developing chemicals against insects and
animals have turned against earth.
In conclusion, it is evident that science is a branch of knowledge that must have a
beginning and widens as more knowledge is discovered. The continuing inventions, research,
and discovery fuels knowledge growth and ensures that there is success in offering humanity
value and benefits. There are many branches of science and science can include both a noun as
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well as a verb. Science is useful in everyday life and guides decision making and how humanity
live in the world. Science has helped humans to understand the natural environment and use the
resources of the natural environment for personal benefit and growth.
References
Carson, R. (1962). Silent Spring. (Chapters 12-end)
Eddy Harris, Mississippi Solo. (Chapters 22-end)
Mary Austin, The Land of Little Rain.
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Oxford Learners Dictionary. (2023). Science. Retrieved December 10, 2023, from Oxford
Learners Dictionary:
https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/science#:~:text=%2F%CB
%88sa%C9%AA%C9%99ns%2F,developments%20in%20science%20and%20technolog
y.
Rebecca Solnit “The Thoreau Problem.”
Walden, Henry David Thoreau “Economy” [ISBN-13: 978-0393930900].
Walden: “Where I Lived, and What I Lived For,” “Reading,” and “Sounds.”
Walden: “Solitude,” “Visitors,” “The Bean Field,” “The Village,” and “The Ponds.
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