A Discussion on the Humanistic Orientation and Mission of Science and Technology

Abstract

Science and technology are the key driving forces for promoting productivity progress. The original intention and fundamental goal of the emergence and development of science and technology is to continuously improve and optimize the environment for the production, life, and development of the public, providing a material and spiritual foundation for human society to move towards a higher form of civilized society. The development of science and technology is closely linked to the enhancement of social public interests. If we overly focus on the economic efficiency of science and technology and neglect its social efficiency, science and technology will inevitably deviate from its original intention of emergence and development, and become a tool for capital to pursue efficiency. Dealing with the efficiency relationship between science and technology at the micro and macro levels, grasping the rhythm of scientific and technological innovation and progress, is conducive to helping us walk out of the Western style scientific and technological innovation and development path of “capital replacing labor”, and returning scientific and technological innovation and development to the original path of “people-oriented”. Only when scientific and technological innovation and progress are highly consistent with the public interest can science and technology reflect its due social value, avoiding it ultimately becoming a value tool for private capital to pursue profits.