--- title: "Old social problems and science without humanity" subject: "Technology, Environment and Society" chapter: 1 key: "semester_7/technology_environment_and_society:science-without-humanity" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/science-without-humanity site: BCT Engineering --- # Old social problems and science without humanity Technology, Environment and Society · Chapter 1: Technology - Asked in: 2071 Shrawan, 7 marks - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/science-without-humanity - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/chapter-1 ## Question Technological innovation reveal the old social problem but "science without humanity" is sin, discuss. ## Short answer Gandhi called science without humanity a social sin. Innovation reveals old problems such as ultrasound misuse exposing son preference and online classes exposing the digital divide. Science must serve human welfare through ethics and impact assessment; without humanity it becomes a threat. ## Answer Technological innovation often **reveals old social problems** that were hidden in a society. At the same time, Mahatma Gandhi listed "**science without humanity**" as one of the *Seven Social Sins*. It means that scientific and technical knowledge used without moral values, compassion and concern for people becomes harmful. #### How innovation reveals old social problems - **Ultrasound** was meant for maternal health, but its misuse for sex-selective abortion revealed deep son preference and gender discrimination. - **Online education** during COVID-19 revealed the digital divide and poverty in rural Nepal. - **Mechanisation** revealed the lack of skills and the unemployment problem, pushing youths to foreign employment. - **Social media** revealed hidden caste discrimination, violence against women and corruption. - **Community water taps** revealed untouchability when certain castes were stopped from using them. #### Why "science without humanity" is a sin 1. **Weapons of mass destruction:** The atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki (1945) showed science used to kill civilians. 2. **Unethical experiments:** Nazi medical experiments and other abuses show knowledge without ethics. 3. **Environmental destruction:** Industries polluting rivers and air for profit, e.g. the Bhopal gas tragedy (1984), ignore human life. 4. **Exploitation:** Technology used only for profit widens the gap between rich and poor and displaces workers without support. 5. **Misuse of diagnostics and data:** sex-selective abortion, data theft, surveillance, cyber crime and deepfakes. 6. **Genetic engineering and AI** raise serious ethical questions if used without human values. #### Discussion Science and technology are neutral tools; the problem is the **intention and values of the user**. When innovation reveals a social problem, the humane response is to solve that problem (e.g. laws banning sex determination, subsidised internet for the poor), not to exploit it. Engineers and scientists must therefore: - follow professional ethics and codes of conduct (e.g. Nepal Engineering Council's code), - assess social and environmental impacts before introducing a technology, - put human welfare, safety and justice above profit, - design technology that includes the poor and marginalised. Science should serve humanity; without humanity it becomes a threat to humanity. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. What does 'science without humanity' mean as one of Gandhi's Seven Social Sins? A. Science should never be taught B. Scientific knowledge used without moral values, compassion and concern for people becomes harmful C. Science is evil by nature D. Humanity should avoid technology Answer: B. Knowledge without ethics and compassion becomes harmful to people. (Key point: Meaning of the sin) 2. Which is an example of science without humanity? A. Rainwater harvesting B. Online education C. Solar home systems D. Atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Bhopal gas tragedy Answer: D. These show science used to kill civilians or ignore human life for profit. (Key point: Examples of misuse) 3. What did community water taps reveal? A. Poor water quality B. Untouchability when certain castes were stopped from using them C. Lack of pipes D. Rainfall patterns Answer: B. They revealed caste discrimination that already existed. (Key point: Revealing problems) 4. According to the discussion, where does the problem lie? A. In science itself B. In the machines C. In the intention and values of the user D. In the scientists' age Answer: C. Science and technology are neutral tools; harm comes from the user's intentions and values. (Key point: Neutral tool) 5. What should engineers do? A. Follow professional ethics, assess impacts, put human welfare and justice above profit, and include the poor B. Put profit above all C. Avoid ethical codes D. Ignore marginalised groups Answer: A. Engineers must follow codes of conduct, assess impacts and prioritise welfare, safety and justice. 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