By: Noer Syahbani, Eufrasia Elaine Rosalie, Ivone Wulandari B, Lalita Hanief
column – The phenomenon of global warming, which increasingly threatens climate balance on earth, invites us to reflect from a scientific philosophy perspective on how humans understand nature and their role in a larger ecosystem system.
Rising global temperatures, thinning of the ozone layer, and other direct impacts resulting from human actions show that the use of scientific knowledge often ignores its impact on the sustainability of the earth.
This approach demands a review, which in the philosophy of science we can see as the point where the development of science should be directed towards collective welfare, not just fulfilling unlimited human desires.
Reviewing the history of the earth since the beginning of the creation of life, from the form of single cells to the complexity of today’s ecosystems, shows the existence of a balanced natural order.
Oparin’s “Prime Soup” theory, which describes the formation of organic molecules as the basis of life, reminds us that life and order in nature have developed through natural processes, without human intervention. This concept is in line with the idea that humans are not the center of the universe but are part of a natural system that must be respected.
Earth’s extreme ancient conditions, with high UV radiation and hostile heat, opened the horizon for humans to understand that life emerged not from a friendly environment, but instead from a struggle to adapt.
The evolution of ancient organisms that adapted to deep sea hydrothermal environments is an extraordinary example of resilience, which should serve as inspiration for modern humans. Figure 2. (A) Schematic and possible links between the origins of life in deep sea mounds. (B) Ancient microbial life through Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) imaging (Madigan et al. 2020
The discovery of thermophilic microorganisms associated with hydrothermal systems in storing and utilizing energy shows that cooperation in natural systems has been going on long before humans came along.
Through Thomas Kuhn‘s thoughts on paradigm change, he teaches us that the evolution of science does not only occur through competition of ideas, but also from collaboration that advances mutual understanding.
The interaction of microbes with extreme environments also makes us aware that science can utilize nature without destroying it, as long as the principle of balance is maintained.
Evolutionary history also presents endosymbiosis as key in the formation of complex eukaryotic cells. This process, in which one organism lives within a host cell, demonstrates the importance of symbiosis as a basic principle in the development of life.
Mutualistic relationships, such as those found in mycorrhizal relationships between fungi and plants, provide the view that evolution is not only driven by competitive natural selection, but also by mutually supportive coexistence.
Through this paradigm, we see that the interconnectedness of ecosystems is a reflection of a holistic view that considers nature as an interdependent whole.
The philosophy of science teaches that, as part of an ecosystem, humans must understand that living side by side with nature is not an option, but rather a necessity to maintain sustainability.
Humans, who have only appeared for a matter of “seconds” in the history of the earth, often forget that the earth has survived in harmonious balance for billions of years.
Microorganisms have existed long before humans and have managed to maintain ecosystems without destroying nature.
In the philosophy of science, this indicates that human presence should bring improvement, not damage.
This history also shows that even though technology makes human life easier, the resulting changes must still pay attention to sustainability.
Finally, the scientific revolution that gave birth to modern science has given humans great power in understanding and controlling nature.
However, the philosophy of science states that knowledge is not just power, but also the responsibility to use it wisely.
If humans do not immediately reflect on their actions towards nature, as demonstrated by the ozone crisis, the damage done may be difficult to repair.
The philosophy of science requires humans to re-balance their desires with the preservation of the Earth, remembering that true science must be in favor of the good of the entire ecosystem.
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Funny Philosophy of Science AND Global Warming? Hold My Mic!
By: A Comedic Fusion of Observational Wit
Welcome, welcome, welcome! Today we’re diving headfirst into a topic that’s both hot and cold—much like those awkward family reunions: global warming! Grab your sunscreen and a parka because the earth is feeling a bit… conflicted! Our lovely authors—Noer Syahbani, Eufrasia Elaine Rosalie, Ivone Wulandari B, and Lalita Hanief—decided to reflect on this rather pressing issue through the philosophical lens of science. Now, let’s make sense of that before it melts away!
First off, let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room. You know, the big, sweaty one that’s flailing around due to rising global temperatures! The authors point out that we humans have a knack for ignoring the science behind our own antics. Every time we toss a plastic bottle into the ocean, or upgrade our gadgets like it’s a competitive sport, are we forgetting that we’re merely a blink in the vast, complicated history of our planet? That’s right! Mother Earth has had a solid few billion years of practice alone, and now she’s adulting with us annoying toddlers who forgot to share the toys!
As our clever authors remind us, we’re part of a larger ecosystem. Ah yes, the philosophical approach—that’s code for “Hey! It’s time we wake up and smell the fossil fuels!” Remember Oparin’s “Prime Soup” theory? It’s all about how life bubbled up from some icky primordial goo. And no, you can’t blame that one on a Tinder date! This theory tells us that life didn’t need a ‘how to thrive’ guide from humanity; it learned to adapt in hostile environments all on its own. So, who really needs us, right?
The article touches on a bit about evolution and some hardcore survival. You see, these little ancient critters adapted like champions to extreme environments! Deep-sea hydrothermal vents? They got this! Meanwhile, we humans are still trying to figure out how not to burn toast. Talk about a cosmic confidence gap!
Let’s not forget about the magical world of microbes—those minuscule champions that existed long before our selfies hit the internet! They’ve been managing ecosystems for ages while we’re in a never-ending existential crisis about which smoothie to order. The authors suggest that these little guys are the real MVPs and if they can coexist peacefully in a complex environment, there’s hope for your Netflix-bingeing, junk food-loving, climate-denying self too!
Now, enter Thomas Kuhn! (Don’t worry, he’s not a magician, but he might as well be.) His ideas on paradigm shifts in science advocate for collaboration over competition! In other words, humans aren’t in this alone; we need to come together! Like a poorly-executed group project in high school, but this time with actual stakes—our planet! Imagine if we put half the effort into saving the planet as we do arguing about who’s the best Marvel superhero.
The authors remind us of the “honor among thieves” ideal—collaboration in nature leads to mutual benefits. Think of fungi and plants having a healthy, supportive relationship. They’re like the best friends who share snacks and give each other pep talks before a big test. Meanwhile, it’s tough out there for humans who can’t even share a parking spot without declaring an all-out war!
And here’s the kicker: Philosophy of science teaches us not only to wield knowledge but to wield it wisely. Ah, wisdom! Something that seems to evade us faster than our New Year’s resolutions. If we don’t start taking our responsibilities toward nature seriously—besides snapping aesthetic nature pics for Instagram—we might just be left with the aftermath of the ozone crisis to clean up, and nobody wants to be “that person”!
So, let’s wrap this all up neatly, shall we? The authors implore that living alongside nature isn’t optional; it’s a necessity! We need to find a way to keep our human desires in check with a dash of Earth-respect. Because let’s face it, despite our attempts to elevate ourselves to supreme beings of the galaxy, we’re just an impatient little blip in a planet that has thrived for billions. So, how about we start behaving like it?
Thank you for tuning in to this comedic reflection on a rather serious topic. Remember, next time you’re tempted to ignore your recycling bin, just think of the microorganisms that will be surviving long after we’re gone, mano y mano with a few plastic cups. Now, that’s a plot twist!
Until next time, keep it funny and eco-friendly!
Actually took a moment to embrace the idea of collaborative evolution! Instead of tearing each other down, we could build a scientific narrative that doesn’t just blame each other for the mess we’re in, but seeks out innovative solutions. Coffee and cookies for everyone at the next climate summit, perhaps?
So, as the authors cleverly remind us, let’s not just shrug at this crisis with a passive “what’s the worst that could happen?” attitude. Instead, let’s get inspired by our ancient ancestors who thrived in harsh conditions and find ways to innovate rather than obliterate! Perhaps we could model our future after those resilient little microbes, proving that even the smallest entity can make a monumental impact—if we only dare to act!
it’s time we enrolled in the “Philosophy of Science” course with a concentration in Global Warming. Let’s channel our inner giants like Oparin and Kuhn, and let go of the complacency born from ignorance. Together, let’s laugh in the face of adversity and tackle global warming with all the seriousness of a cat video: sly, sneaky, and utterly captivating. Because if history has taught us anything, it’s that even the most complex challenges can be solved with a little humor, a lot of science, and the determination to work together. So grab your lab coats—and your sun hats! The future awaits, and it’s time for us to make a change… before the planet’s prime soup boils over!
