Difference Between Science and Technology

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Difference Between Science and Technology Essay on Difference Between Science and Technology – Science and technology though interlinked are distinct. Main differences between the two can be noted below. 1. The Goals of Science and Technology are not One and The Same: Science is concerned with the pursuit of knowledge about nature, whereas technology is concerned with putting the knowledge of nature to some use. When the scientific knowledge is applied to the problems of human life, it becomes technology. Technology is systematic knowledge which is put into practice, that is, to use tools, and run machines, and to do such other things to serve human purposes. Science is theoretical knowledge whereas technology is practical knowledge. 1. Basic Research and Applied Research: Difference between science and technology is also expressed in terms of the differences between basic research and applied research. Basic Research which corresponds to “science” aims at merely increasing the quantum or sum of knowledge. In the previous centuries most of the scientists were involved primarily in basic research. But the trend has reversed in favour of applied science. In America, for example, during the 1970-80′s hardly 14% of the scientists were engaged in basic research. Applied research which corresponds to “technology” on the contrary, aims at finding technological applications for scientific knowledge. The modern governments and industries are concerned more with useful technologies than with the pursuit of knowledge. The determination of how money should be allocated for what type of research has little to do with what scientists themselves regard as the most pressing social or scientific priorities. 2. Technology Is Much Older Than Science: Every society has at least a simple technology, even if it is limited to such techniques as making stone implements, bows and
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