Why Modern Science Is Nihilistic Essay Research

Why Modern Science Is Nihilistic? Essay, Research Paper

Why is Modern Science Nihilistic?

What is nihilism? Nihilism comes from the Latin root for nothing. Nihilism represents a belief that existence is senseless and useless. It also refers to sacrifice of meaningful existence defined by spiritual values, struggle and pain, in favor of pleasurable, comfortable and secure life.

Post-modern writers such as Updike, Nietzsche and Heidegger argue that modern society is nihilistic. These writers claim that since modern science causes nihilism by destroying human nature and spiritual framework of life, it is itself nihilistic. In order to determine why modern science is nihilistic, it is important to analyze what modern science is and how it influences human beings.

First of all, in time before development of modern science, universe was a mystery for human beings. All of the natural phenomena such as death, pain, thunder, sunshine, etc. had a certain meaning. In order to explain these phenomena, people invented god and religion. Historically, up until the enlightenment the majority of the world population believed in existence of superior being, the Creator, and worshiped him/her. Spirituality played an important role in people?s lives. Religion provided directions for humanity and gave meaning to life. Further, religion brought people together making them bond. Human beings learned how to communicate with one another; and thus, developed norms and regulations of human behavior in society. One of the major concepts of social interactions became human dignity. One should respect dignity of another individual.

With the development of modern science, many mysteries of life became explainable. Science offers rational explanation to almost every aspect of human life, even human nature. For instance, Charles Darwin developed a detailed theory of how human beings came to existence, how they evolved and what factors influenced evolution. Modern science led to a distraction of spiritual framework of life. It separated people from religion. They believed that since they were capable to explain everything, they did not need god anymore, they considered themselves god.

Modern science came into existence for the purpose of technology. Technological innovations made it possible to realize more and more ideas. For instance, medical technology made it possible to prolong life. Thus, once it is understood by human beings that medical treatment or machines could extend their lives, death, which is the greatest mystery of life, loses its significance. Human beings tend to fear death. Fear of death makes them creative. People invent goals in life and commit themselves to achieving them. Human beings desire to live life of action so that they can reach their goals because they do not know how long they are going to live. Modern science with its medical technologies convinces people that they should not think about death and be happy in the moment. Consequently, people become less concerned with their goals because they know that they can postpone death, life itself loses meaning.

Furthermore, scientists invented cars, phones, computers, etc. Technological progress made life more pragmatic. Moreover, life became unbearable without cars, phones, computers, etc. The goal in people?s lives became the acquisition of ?bare necessities? of modern world. As a result, it became a need to spend more time working in order to earn more money so one can buy a car, a phone, or other material goods. Technology becomes essential to life. Heidegger states in his book The Question Concerning Technology and Other Essays that:

But this much remains correct: modern technology is too is a means to an end. That is why the instrumental conception of technology conditions every attempt to bring man into the right relation to technology. Everyday depends on our manipulating technology in the proper manner as a means. We will, as we say, ?get? technology ?spiritual at hand.? We will master. The will to master becomes all the more urgent the more technology threatens to slip from human control.

Eventually, human beings lose control over technology. It takes control over human beings, and in turn, modern technology entraps people. Human beings lose themselves in their occupations. Subsequently, they become ?machines,? believing that their worth is measured solely by their level of production and size of the material possessions. In that state human beings sacrifice spiritual life to the pragmatic life of comfort and security. Thus, modern science, which laid foundations for technological development, is nihilistic.

John Updike portrays the influence of modern science and technology on society in his book In the Beauty of the Lilies. His characters represent the ways in which society has changed with development of modern science. Updike argues that human beings are most happy in their contact with nature. He believes that the most important thing in life is relationship with god as oppose to science and technology. God cannot be approached through reason. Also, reason cannot explain anything about human nature or human purpose. Modern science imposes rationalism and reason upon human society, which leads to a decay of human nature.

For example, the main character, Clarence Wilmot, church?s Reverend, loses his faith in god and acquires faith