Science technology and development / edited by A. Rahman v.2

Current thinking on scientific development and technological growth and their impact on society and human lives continues to be part of me chanical way of thinking, leading to causal ap proach and linear developments. This would be evident from the discussion of scientific policies and trends of development of scientific and technological research both in the developed and developing countries. All follow the same institutional patterns and tend to concentrate on same areas of research. The thinking in these countries with regard to quantum of financial and relation with industry follow the same pattern. Volume I brings to surface some of these discussions.

Volume II deals with the social dimensions of science and technology and the possible impact of new technology. It brings to surface that with rapid advances of sciences and the develop ment of technology social and human problems have also become more complex and difficult due to deterioration of environment, growth of violence, and the use of science as an instru ment of power, exploitation and creator of dis parities.

The book, while bringing out the dimensions, points out that there is no causal and linear connection between the development of science and the ills facing society. The promotion of science and the development of technology have marginalised human concerns. It is sug gested that in order to alleviate the situation the scientific and technical paradigm of development and secular social concept of democracy and education has to be integrated with the Gandhian concept of Ahimsa, decentralised low energy system of production of consumer products and religious values of self-discipline, code of con duct for human relation and economy in use of goods. This is as a possible way out.