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On the interaction of sciences and technologies
Paper A1/2"
NUCLEAR ENGINEERING AND DESIGN 19 (1972) 1 - 3 NORTH-HOLLAND PUBLISHING COMPANY
First Interc
Ill Bill Ilia. ON THE INTERACTION OF SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES
Joseph R. FELDMEIER Vice President, The Franklin Institute, Director, The Franklin Institute Research Laboratories, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Received 20 September 1971 Interaction of sciences and technologies has been a difficult problem even when limited to the physical sciences and engineering branches. The principal impediments to effective interaction is the specialty-language barrier along with the departmentalized education structure in the traditional university. This interaction problem is escalated in today's nuclear-electrical industry because of the public demand to include in the planning of future plants their impact on the environment and a strategy for the allocation of worldwide energy resources.
I have the challenge to communicate some considered thoughts on the interaction of sciences and technologies to an audience from many professions and many countries. The following is an outline of my presentation: - Selected highlights from background material; - The communication problem; - The escalating social problem; - Concluding comments on this conference and challenges ahead for the nuclear-electrical field. In 1966 Leslie Holliday [1] edited a very thoughtful book on The Integration of Technologies. In part I he covered the role of education and the problem of communication. Under the problem of communication he rightly points out that each profession has its own language, which tends to become more complex as a field develops, and even a limited universal language would be valuable, if obtainable! In part II he gave some conceptual and technical approaches towards a common language for the technologies. After much searching, he concluded that the best language to adopt would be drawn from that of mathematics. However the shortcomings of this effort are immediately apparent and constitute a mere beginning with no practical value.
In 1971, the International Chamber of Commerce meeting in Vienna discussed the rapidly growing controversy: technology and society - a challenge to private enterprise. In the published report [2] it is stated: "The general objective to be pursued by governments, industry and the scientific community is the forwardlooking and harmonized utilization throughout the world and over time of human and material resources. This implies the prevention of future deterioration and the rehabilitation of past damage to people and to their environment. It requires also the preservation and development of resources for the future." This states succinctly the broadened role into which science and technology has been plunged during the past few years. Formerly our role was generally restricted to a contribution to the economic base; now we are told we must participate in the solution to social problems. Thus the intergration of technologies and the associated communication problem is raised to a higher complexity than that considered by Holliday. To tie this all together in a compact way and to look at "the beginnings of a common language" from a different and all-encompassing point of view, I will make use of a paper by Prof. Cassidy of Yale University [3] in the Journal of Sigma Xi.
2
J.R. Feldmeier, On the interaction o f sciences and technologies Emphasis on Philosophies
Synthesis
The/ Fine/
History Policy ~ s c i e n c e s /
~Behavioral
~ sciences
Arts/
T H E
\ S / SOcial C I sciences )1
[ I Literature \
\
/
\
]
8,o,og,co,
/sciences ..... . / / n ,I-'nyslCOI
Language \
" _:_~ and Logic ~
sciences
E N C E S
Mathematics
Fig. 1. Definition of the arts (the humanities) and the sciences.
T h e
T h
e
S
A r
c i
s
c
,
se
Emphasis
Analysis,
Synthesis
Reduction to practice
Technologies
on
Metaphor, Analogy
Analogy, Ratio
Fig. 2. Conceptual analysis of the structure of fields of spealiza-
tion. Fig. 1 shows many of the branches of learning from the sciences and from the arts (humanities) in a way that demonstrates the relationship among them and at the same time removes harsh boundaries. Fig.2 expands on this concept showing the previous fields of learning at the central equator but adds philosophies and technologies to the two other endeavors. The beginning of a common language is now shown at the right of this figure and at the bottom. On the right are listed the emphasis on the procedure used in these fields of learning. The philosophies are deeply involved with synthesizing information obtainable from the sciences and the arts, the sciences and the arts are primarily an activity in analysis and synthesis, while the technologies' chief mission is reduction to practice. At the bottom of the figure are listed the distinguishing tools between the arts and the sciences, with emphasis on metaphor and analogy in the case of the arts and analogy and ratio in the case of the sciences. Prof. Cassidy expands on the development of this common language in an interesting way. But for the purposes of this discussion, let me summarize by saying that although it is a crude beginning, it is a very promising one. If pursued, it may lead to reducing the communication problem on integrating all fields of creativety and thus make a major step forward in mutual understanding and mutual trust, the essence of effective communication. Since future engineering progress is strongly related to the quality of life problem reference in the Vienna meeting of the International Chamber of Commerce,
let us examine this problem in greater depth. The major parameters that make up a healthy society can be summarized as follows: [ 1 ]. Governmental leadership; [2]. Human and natural resources; [3]. Organizational spirit generating motivation in the individual members; [4]. A strong economic base. All fields of learning and cultural pursuits contribute to these four requirements. But what is the current responsibility of science and technology? Returning to fig. 2 where the beginning of common language on methods of study and tools of the field are summarized, I will draw a distinction between the way a classical university is organized in the physical sciences as compared to the social sciences. In the case of social sciences the separation between the fields of analysis and synthesis and reduction to practice are extremely great, so much so that it is generally not recognized that medicine and law are not commonly thought of as technologies carrying on reduction to practice from such fields as history, biology, political science, and social science. While communication among the physical sciences and associated engineering branches leaves much to be desired, it is a much stronger coupling at the classical university than exists in any other branch of learning. This may be the reason that the physical sciences have had much greater success than the social sciences, over the past several decades, in the reduction to practice of their output. Now a few concluding comments. We in the techno-
J.R. Feldmeier, On the interaction of sciences and technologies
logically more developed countries know full well that the environmental problems resulting from decades of burgeoning economic growth, without adequate recognition and prevention of its harmful side effects, have brought us to a state of near crisis, especially in the United States. In the less developed countries, on the other hand, environmental problems attributable to insufficiently controlled technological growth have not yet reached serious proportions. But the seeds are there and they will ultimately bring ugliness, discomfort, and disease to those who fail to take preventive action. Therefore the nuclear-electrical industry must participate not only in the technology of nuclear power, but in the solution of environmental problems. We are especially qualified to help develop the best strategy for the use of our limited energy resources. Therefore, in this expanded role we touch on all four elements of a healthy society. Relative to the work of this important Conference on Structural Mechanics in Reactor Technology, it should be kept in mind that the subject is a small sector of the total scientific and technological base for reactor development. Structural mechanics and reactor technology is one of the technologies that would appear in fig. 2 under reduction to practice. Many fields, only a few shown, from the activities of synthesis and analysis are closely allied to the technologies needed for the full development of nuclear power. As we do our work we must properly integrate all of these sciences and technologies but without losing sight of the two principal roles that we must play.
3
(1) To continue to improve our understanding of structural mechanics in the field of reactor technology. This continuing development of understanding has been the traditional duty of any technologist. It is essential that the nuclear engineer does his part well, no one else can do it; and in this case - without you reactor technology will be stifled. (2) But also, the last decade has presented the world with the challenges of an increasingly complex societythe nature of which is such that technology can no longer exist or advance meaningfully apart from social, economic, and governmental considerations. Since the humanities have not built a sufficient base in humanistic technology, it is essential that the traditionally trained people in science and technology contribute here too. For one thing, we know how difficult it is to develop a sound technology, we have demonstrated the ability to work hard. We must see that this same concentration and effort is brought to the social technologies. The rewards will be very great and there is no easy way !
References [ 1] Leslie Holliday, The Intergration of Technologies, Hutchinson & Co., Ltd., London (1966). [2] The Vienna Papers - United States Council participation in ICC XXIII, U.S. Council of International Chamber of Commerce, New York, 1971. [3] H.G. Cassidy, The Problem of the S~ien~s and the Humaties - a Diagnosis and a Prescription, Am. Scientist, 48 (1960) 383.
NUCLEAR ENGINEERING AND DESIGN 19 (1972) 1 - 3 NORTH-HOLLAND PUBLISHING COMPANY
First Interc
Ill Bill Ilia. ON THE INTERACTION OF SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGIES
Joseph R. FELDMEIER Vice President, The Franklin Institute, Director, The Franklin Institute Research Laboratories, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Received 20 September 1971 Interaction of sciences and technologies has been a difficult problem even when limited to the physical sciences and engineering branches. The principal impediments to effective interaction is the specialty-language barrier along with the departmentalized education structure in the traditional university. This interaction problem is escalated in today's nuclear-electrical industry because of the public demand to include in the planning of future plants their impact on the environment and a strategy for the allocation of worldwide energy resources.
I have the challenge to communicate some considered thoughts on the interaction of sciences and technologies to an audience from many professions and many countries. The following is an outline of my presentation: - Selected highlights from background material; - The communication problem; - The escalating social problem; - Concluding comments on this conference and challenges ahead for the nuclear-electrical field. In 1966 Leslie Holliday [1] edited a very thoughtful book on The Integration of Technologies. In part I he covered the role of education and the problem of communication. Under the problem of communication he rightly points out that each profession has its own language, which tends to become more complex as a field develops, and even a limited universal language would be valuable, if obtainable! In part II he gave some conceptual and technical approaches towards a common language for the technologies. After much searching, he concluded that the best language to adopt would be drawn from that of mathematics. However the shortcomings of this effort are immediately apparent and constitute a mere beginning with no practical value.
In 1971, the International Chamber of Commerce meeting in Vienna discussed the rapidly growing controversy: technology and society - a challenge to private enterprise. In the published report [2] it is stated: "The general objective to be pursued by governments, industry and the scientific community is the forwardlooking and harmonized utilization throughout the world and over time of human and material resources. This implies the prevention of future deterioration and the rehabilitation of past damage to people and to their environment. It requires also the preservation and development of resources for the future." This states succinctly the broadened role into which science and technology has been plunged during the past few years. Formerly our role was generally restricted to a contribution to the economic base; now we are told we must participate in the solution to social problems. Thus the intergration of technologies and the associated communication problem is raised to a higher complexity than that considered by Holliday. To tie this all together in a compact way and to look at "the beginnings of a common language" from a different and all-encompassing point of view, I will make use of a paper by Prof. Cassidy of Yale University [3] in the Journal of Sigma Xi.
2
J.R. Feldmeier, On the interaction o f sciences and technologies Emphasis on Philosophies
Synthesis
The/ Fine/
History Policy ~ s c i e n c e s /
~Behavioral
~ sciences
Arts/
T H E
\ S / SOcial C I sciences )1
[ I Literature \
\
/
\
]
8,o,og,co,
/sciences ..... . / / n ,I-'nyslCOI
Language \
" _:_~ and Logic ~
sciences
E N C E S
Mathematics
Fig. 1. Definition of the arts (the humanities) and the sciences.
T h e
T h
e
S
A r
c i
s
c
,
se
Emphasis
Analysis,
Synthesis
Reduction to practice
Technologies
on
Metaphor, Analogy
Analogy, Ratio
Fig. 2. Conceptual analysis of the structure of fields of spealiza-
tion. Fig. 1 shows many of the branches of learning from the sciences and from the arts (humanities) in a way that demonstrates the relationship among them and at the same time removes harsh boundaries. Fig.2 expands on this concept showing the previous fields of learning at the central equator but adds philosophies and technologies to the two other endeavors. The beginning of a common language is now shown at the right of this figure and at the bottom. On the right are listed the emphasis on the procedure used in these fields of learning. The philosophies are deeply involved with synthesizing information obtainable from the sciences and the arts, the sciences and the arts are primarily an activity in analysis and synthesis, while the technologies' chief mission is reduction to practice. At the bottom of the figure are listed the distinguishing tools between the arts and the sciences, with emphasis on metaphor and analogy in the case of the arts and analogy and ratio in the case of the sciences. Prof. Cassidy expands on the development of this common language in an interesting way. But for the purposes of this discussion, let me summarize by saying that although it is a crude beginning, it is a very promising one. If pursued, it may lead to reducing the communication problem on integrating all fields of creativety and thus make a major step forward in mutual understanding and mutual trust, the essence of effective communication. Since future engineering progress is strongly related to the quality of life problem reference in the Vienna meeting of the International Chamber of Commerce,
let us examine this problem in greater depth. The major parameters that make up a healthy society can be summarized as follows: [ 1 ]. Governmental leadership; [2]. Human and natural resources; [3]. Organizational spirit generating motivation in the individual members; [4]. A strong economic base. All fields of learning and cultural pursuits contribute to these four requirements. But what is the current responsibility of science and technology? Returning to fig. 2 where the beginning of common language on methods of study and tools of the field are summarized, I will draw a distinction between the way a classical university is organized in the physical sciences as compared to the social sciences. In the case of social sciences the separation between the fields of analysis and synthesis and reduction to practice are extremely great, so much so that it is generally not recognized that medicine and law are not commonly thought of as technologies carrying on reduction to practice from such fields as history, biology, political science, and social science. While communication among the physical sciences and associated engineering branches leaves much to be desired, it is a much stronger coupling at the classical university than exists in any other branch of learning. This may be the reason that the physical sciences have had much greater success than the social sciences, over the past several decades, in the reduction to practice of their output. Now a few concluding comments. We in the techno-
J.R. Feldmeier, On the interaction of sciences and technologies
logically more developed countries know full well that the environmental problems resulting from decades of burgeoning economic growth, without adequate recognition and prevention of its harmful side effects, have brought us to a state of near crisis, especially in the United States. In the less developed countries, on the other hand, environmental problems attributable to insufficiently controlled technological growth have not yet reached serious proportions. But the seeds are there and they will ultimately bring ugliness, discomfort, and disease to those who fail to take preventive action. Therefore the nuclear-electrical industry must participate not only in the technology of nuclear power, but in the solution of environmental problems. We are especially qualified to help develop the best strategy for the use of our limited energy resources. Therefore, in this expanded role we touch on all four elements of a healthy society. Relative to the work of this important Conference on Structural Mechanics in Reactor Technology, it should be kept in mind that the subject is a small sector of the total scientific and technological base for reactor development. Structural mechanics and reactor technology is one of the technologies that would appear in fig. 2 under reduction to practice. Many fields, only a few shown, from the activities of synthesis and analysis are closely allied to the technologies needed for the full development of nuclear power. As we do our work we must properly integrate all of these sciences and technologies but without losing sight of the two principal roles that we must play.
3
(1) To continue to improve our understanding of structural mechanics in the field of reactor technology. This continuing development of understanding has been the traditional duty of any technologist. It is essential that the nuclear engineer does his part well, no one else can do it; and in this case - without you reactor technology will be stifled. (2) But also, the last decade has presented the world with the challenges of an increasingly complex societythe nature of which is such that technology can no longer exist or advance meaningfully apart from social, economic, and governmental considerations. Since the humanities have not built a sufficient base in humanistic technology, it is essential that the traditionally trained people in science and technology contribute here too. For one thing, we know how difficult it is to develop a sound technology, we have demonstrated the ability to work hard. We must see that this same concentration and effort is brought to the social technologies. The rewards will be very great and there is no easy way !
References [ 1] Leslie Holliday, The Intergration of Technologies, Hutchinson & Co., Ltd., London (1966). [2] The Vienna Papers - United States Council participation in ICC XXIII, U.S. Council of International Chamber of Commerce, New York, 1971. [3] H.G. Cassidy, The Problem of the S~ien~s and the Humaties - a Diagnosis and a Prescription, Am. Scientist, 48 (1960) 383.