Science, Technology, and Medicine have Progressed Immensely during the Last Five Centuries, yet Mankind Is Threatened by Self-Destruction

Abstract

During the last 5900 years, creative human minds have dispelled false beliefs about our universe, as well as chemical, physical, and biomedical phenomena. Life expectancies in most inhabited parts of our world have increased appreciably. A brief survey of those who contributed to the progress of science, technology, and understanding is presented. Yet, primitive instincts and ambitions still dominate our world, and conflicts threaten to destroy life on this planet by way of nuclear weapons. Societies are ruled by politicians and militaries, for scientists are “on tap, but not on top”. The contrast between reason-based progress and instinct-based aggression is mind-boggling.