MODERN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: A SERIOUS CHALLENGE TO HUMAN LIFE AND HUMAN DIGNITY

Ejike Akpa

Abstract


The place of man in the cosmic arrangement is incontrovertibly special. The cosmos seems to be ordered primarily for the well being of man; no wonder some philosophers contend that man is the measure of all things. He alone is claimed to resemble God, rational, and capable of distinguishing between good and evil. Man shares kinetic, appetitive, and reproductive powers with other animals but the powers of cognition and to will are exclusively human. With all the special accompaniments of man it makes sense to respect human life and promote human dignity. Be that as it may, human life and human dignity has faced some serious challenges from the perspective of modern science and technology as a result of the predominance of secular philosophy. Ironically, science and technology is the brainchild of man and has actually played significant roles in improving human well-being. To restore human life and dignity it is necessary to deemphasize secularism and recognize the centrality of God in human existence.  Hence, religion and science/technology should be complementary for man’s sake. Further, man should be seen as “the good that is” since he is created by an all good Creator. He thus deserves to be dignified.

Keywords


Science, Technology, Human Life, Human Dignity, Secularism

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References


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