--- title: "Should technicians also be good citizens" subject: "Communication English" chapter: 2 key: "semester_5/communication_english:even-best-technicians-good-citizens" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/even-best-technicians-good-citizens site: BCT Engineering --- # Should technicians also be good citizens Communication English · Chapter 2: Extensive Reading - Asked in: 2070 Chaitra, 5 marks; 2075 Ashwin, 5 marks (asked 2 times) - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/even-best-technicians-good-citizens - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/communication_english/chapter-2 ## Question "Even the best technicians should also be good citizens." Do you agree? If yes, why? (Knowledge and Wisdom) ## Short answer Russell would agree: technical skill alone is not enough because a technician must consider the effect of work on society. Specialisation narrows the view, and powerful tools require moral responsibility. Wisdom, with impartiality and a sense of proportion, is needed alongside skill. ## Answer Yes, I agree with Russell's view in "Knowledge and Wisdom" that even the best technicians should be good citizens. #### Reasons 1. **Technical skill is not enough.** A technician has the knowledge to do a task, but a good citizen thinks about the effects of the task on society. A skilled engineer who ignores safety rules or the environment may harm many people. 2. **Specialisation narrows the view.** Experts in one field often see only a small part of life. A citizen's outlook is wider and includes responsibility for the welfare of all. 3. **Power to harm.** Technicians control powerful tools, such as weapons, chemicals and machines. These must be used with moral responsibility, honesty and care for human life. 4. **Public decisions.** In democratic societies, citizens decide policy. If experts take no part, or take part only for their own gain, wrong decisions follow. 5. **Wisdom.** Russell argues that wisdom, with its broad view, impartiality and sense of proportion, is needed along with skill. Good citizenship is the practical form of such wisdom. 6. **Examples.** An engineer who builds a bridge with poor materials for profit, or a scientist who makes harmful weapons without thought, shows what happens without citizenship. #### Conclusion Technical excellence serves humanity only when joined with moral concern and civic duty. Hence the best technicians must also be good citizens. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. Why is technical skill alone insufficient? A. Skill makes work too costly B. Citizenship gives technical knowledge C. Technicians do not affect others D. A good citizen considers the effects of work on society, such as safety and environment Answer: D. A skilled engineer ignoring safety or environment may harm many. (Key point: Technical skill is not enough) 2. What problem does specialisation cause? A. Experts know too little B. Experts see only a small part of life C. Experts refuse responsibility D. Experts avoid technology Answer: B. A citizen's outlook is wider, including welfare of all. (Key point: Specialisation) 3. Why must technicians use tools with moral responsibility? A. They are paid highly B. Laws forbid tools C. Tools are harmless D. They control powerful tools like weapons, chemicals and machines Answer: D. Such power requires honesty and care for human life. (Key point: Power to harm) 4. How does the answer connect citizenship with wisdom? A. Citizenship replaces skill B. Good citizenship is the practical form of wisdom's broad view, impartiality and proportion C. Wisdom is only for politicians D. They are unrelated Answer: B. Russell argues wisdom is needed along with skill. 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