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249 Annals Am. Acad. Pol. & Soc. Sci. v (1947)

handle is hein.cow/anamacp0249 and id is 1 raw text is: FOREWORD SCIENTIFIC knowledge has outstripped social understanding. It is generally held that man's knowledge of the physical world exceeds his understanding of hu- man relationships, and that, consequently, he is better prepared to cope with the problems of science and technology than with the forces generated by human asso- ciations. The interrelations between the physical and social worlds, if not fully understood, may at least be observed. The experienced observer knows that the impacts of science and technology upon society are inevitable, although sometimes unpredictable. Science may remain neutral in all contests between good and evil, but this vaunted neutrality cannot determine the ends to which science may be di- rected. Man may dream of the potential good inherent in recent scientific discov- eries. Men of evil design will not be deterred by such dreams from attempting to seize power or from employing the forces of modern science for destructive pur- poses. Only a broad understanding of the social implications of scientific advance and the effective use of political and other social controls can guarantee the con- structive and beneficial uses of those forces. Social organization of the last century provided the opportunities for scientific research and technological progress. As an inevitable consequence of social lag, man did not reorganize society against the impacts of these advances, and probably could not have done so. Social tensions were eased, however, by a compensating technological lag. In recent years technological progress has outstripped both scientific discovery and social adjustment. Under the impetus of total war these developments were directed toward destructive ends. Science was harnessed by technology for recognized antisocial purposes. Our experiences in 'the productive, social uses of modern science are extremely limited. Peacetime applications of these forces remain largely unexploited. Thus, the implications of modern science for constructive purposes will raise innumerable social problems in the immediate postwar years. This is an appropriate time to take stock of scientific and technological ad- vances, to anticipate their social consequences, to appraise their potential values, and to examine proposed changes in social organization designed to accommodate man to the new world of science and, at the same time, to insure him against the dangers inherent in the new forces. In a democratically organized state, social or- ganization and adjustment to change must be preceded by public discussion of the basic issues. Social trends cannot be dictated. They develop in response to pres- sures and impacts. An understanding of the impelling forces may, however, direct the trends and lend stability to the social order. The Summer Session of the University of Michigan, in presenting this series of lectures for its students and guests, assumed an educational obligation on the part of colleges and universities to contribute to this understanding of the social implica- tions of modern science. We regret that two excellent lectures: Ralph Barton Perry's lecture, What Is the Good of Science? and Dr. Albert C. Furstenberg's, Recent Advances in Medicine, were not delivered for publication in this series. The University appreciates the generous offer of THE ANNALS to publish the lec- tures and is grateful for the larger audience thus assured. HAROLD M. DORR V

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