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Kan Chun Him (1155076777)

Dr. Karen Lee
UGFN1000 In Dialogue with Nature
22 Dec 2013
Reflection: The Most Valuable Aspect of Scientific Literacy for Hong Kong (Topic 3)
The three important aspects of science literacy are basic knowledge, theory application
and self-reflection. In my opinion, ability to reflect on scientific knowledge is the most essential
for our living in Hong Kong nowadays.
To begin with, acquisition of basic knowledge is the cornerstone for scientific study and
for our life. Indispensable elements of such knowledge include concepts and methodology.
Firstly, fundamental concepts are essential for understanding phenomena. It helps us derive,
apply or challenge theories. For DNA structure, many scientists have built wrong models like
triple helix or outward-protruding nitrogenous base due to ignorance of the basic chemistry
between nitrogenous bases (Watson and Berry 129). Secondly, history of scientific discovery and
methodology provide the knowhow to derive theories. With greater awareness of Mendels work
on inheritance factors (Watson and Berry 101), geneticists would have rejected pangenesis much
earlier. All these aspects of basic scientific knowledge allows us to think steps ahead in applying
and reflecting on existing knowledge. In Hong Kong, we should have adequate basic knowledge
given thirteen years of education in primary and secondary school combined. Such
understanding leads us to live sensibly and able to explain phenomenon beyond superstition and
misbelief given right sources of information.

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Next, ability to apply theories or knowledge is conducive to understanding of

phenomena, challenging and proving findings, as well as improving our lives (Scientific
literacy.). Science is important to us for deriving theories describing and predicting phenomena.
For instance, Newtons mathematical model on planet motion allows Edmond Halley to
accurately predict the reappearance of a comet (Cohen 62). For us, applying abstract or difficult
theories to life situations may help us grasp the idea instead. Furthermore, applying theories or
testing on hypothesis is important in validation. Unlike Hooke with wild guess, Newton was able
to provide a testable mathematical proof, thus credited for the finding on elliptic celestial motion
(Cohen 52). Meanwhile, Darwin was able to utilize concepts from Malthuss Essay on the
Principle of population about competition within species and Lyells Principles of Geology about
huge changes accumulated from tiny amendments (Lee 19, 24). These ideas inspired Darwins
work on evolution explaining competitions and variations amid environmental changes. Other
example includes Mendel applying statistics in proving monohybrid and dihybrid inheritance
(Watson and Berry 103). Putting theories together for application is important for making our
lives better. Many innovations are applications of scientific discoveries. Examples include GM
crops with higher quality and yield from genetics, or usage and storage of electricity in
electronics by electrochemistry, or multipurpose robots by robotics and computer science, as well
as better communication tools from information technology. For Hong Kong, we are wellcapable of applying scientific facts. Hong Kong possesses renowned universities excelled at
research like medical science in CUHK and robotics in HKUST. However, application of
findings is still constrained due to insufficient funding, limited technology transfer and red tapes
(Sunami 5).

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Last but not least, reflection on scientific facts is influential in scientific development.
Reflection allows falsifying obsolete theories. For instance, Aristotle differentiated celestial and
terrestrial motion, and thought that medium assisted the motion (Lindberg 33, 45). However,
with observation and new theories, the law of motion is believed to be applicable to both
motions, and the air resists motion. Moreover, insufficiency found by reflection drives further
research. In the past, things were described only qualitatively like on hotness and quickness
(Lindberg 38-39). Method is derived to describe objects in intensity and quantity, thus allowing
mathematical representation (Cohen 38-43). Moreover, better research methods are possible via
reflecting. Reflecting from Mendels experiments on independent genes (Watson and Berry 103),
scientists tried to correlate relationships between genes by possible phenotypes and
corresponding ratios. Darwins study is one other instance. Darwin not only classify animals into
genera and species like Aristotle (Aristotle), but also attempted to understand the causes of the
diversity by investigating its correlation with environmental (Darwin 73-96). Reflecting on prior
discoveries and methodology enable development of better method and theories. Such ability and
training are lacking in Hong Kong. With poor capability in analysis and reflection, many people
are cheated by hoaxes. Rumors are rampant with instances like believing in anti-radiation salt
or omnipotent health supplements. Many of these are spread without validation. We have
adequate fundamental scientific knowledge and capability applying concepts. It is weird that we
seldom question and reflect what we have learnt and encountered in daily life. Danger is such an
act that we are indulged with obsolete, speculative or even fabricated knowledge. Anti-vaccine
movement, excessive antibiotics use, craving carbohydrate following old food pyramid,
stigmatizing sadness are some examples of pitfalls.

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In short, reflection on scientific discoveries outruns the basic knowledge and subsequent
application in scientific literacy especially to Hong Kong. We should remain critical and
scrutinizing facts surrounding us for the sake of scientific development or our lives.
Works Cited
Aristotle UCMP. n.d. UCMP. Web. 03 Mar. 2016
<http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/history/aristotle.html>
Cohen, Bernard. The Birth of a New Physics: Revised and Updated. New York: W. W. Norton
& Company, Inc. 1960. Rpt. in In Dialogue with Nature: Textbook for General
Education Foundation Programme. 2nd ed. Hong Kong: Office of University General
Education, 2012. 49-62. Print.
Darwin, Charles. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection. 1st ed. 1859. Rpt. in
In Dialogue with Nature: Textbook for General Education Foundation Programme.
2nd ed. Hong Kong: Office of University General Education, 2012. 73-96. Print.
Lee, Karen. Charles Darwin, On the Origin of Species. n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2016
Lindberg, David C. The Beginnings of Western Science: The European Scientific Tradition in
Philosophical, Religious, and Institutional Context, Prehistory to A.D. 1450 2nd ed.
Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2007. Rpt. in In Dialogue with Nature:
Textbook for General Education Foundation Programme. 2nd ed. Hong Kong: Office of
University General Education, 2012. 11-48. Print.

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Scientific literacy. Wikipedia. 2016. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 03 Mar. 201.

<https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_literacy>
SUNAMI, Atsushi. Hong Kong Innovation Project. Report No. 13 Environmental Technology:
Hong Kongs Innovation System. Tokyo: Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, 2014. 139. Print
Watson, James D, and Berry, Andrew. DNA: the Secret of Life. New York: DNA Show LLC,
2003. Rpt. in In Dialogue with Nature: Textbook for General Education Foundation
Programme. 2nd ed. Hong Kong: Office of University General Education, 2012. 97-142.
Print.