Throughout the course of the semester in neurochemistry we have learned how to dissect, interpret, and form opinions on research articles dealing the neurological problems. Taking this knowledge and expanding it to broader “big picture” ideas has put both scientific and social issues into context. A common theme present in the papers we have read is the expansion of knowledge. As a society, it’s safe to say that America is a busy country; we are constantly striving for success, working more, harder and pushing the limit further. This “theme” is a general component of science and few fields have exhibited as rapid of expansion. Fifty years ago we discovered DNA, now we are manipulating it to make mice that grow in the dark. We’ve come a long ways as a scientific community in a very short amount of time. The following videos offer some perspective on how science is being applied to deep, philosophical issues.
Free Will and the Brain
Is everything determined for us?
Aliens Exist
As a scientific community we are constantly concerned with gaining more knowledge. We want to know if there are aliens, how to beat every disease, and improve the quality of life in every way possible. At what point does this become counterproductive and even destructive? I have a hard time arguing that cancer research should not take place to develop a cure for such a terrible illness. I also believe that an enjoyable part of life is not knowing everything. It would be interesting to see if there ever comes a time when we know everything. This seems like a ridiculous proposition, but think of how far we have come in the last one hundred years. The more we know, the more complicated things become, and the more complicated things become the less we seem to be able to sit back and enjoy life.
How Far is too Far?
