Science in a Democratic Society On the Need for Poets and Philosophers

Science has brought untold benefits to mankind through an increase of knowledge. These are reviewed in astronomy, nuclear physics, in the life sciences and the resulting technological accomplishments are discussed from an American point of view. International cooperation in scientific research, be it big accelerators or large telescopes, has posed great challenges to engineers, but has also highlighted the global problems of population explosion, pollution, tropical diseases and finite resources. All points to the fact that the world is in a state of transition, and this, the main thesis of the review, is exemplified in detail, showing how science and technology has led to social, economic and political problems. To these, solutions are offered.