Where is Science heading? (thesis writing practice 1)

I am in the process of researching and developing my master's thesis where I'll look at science education and the role of motivation toward ethical practices and global awareness. The following journal entries are rough sketches for what will be later fleshed out in a more refined fashion.

For context, uppercase "Science" is the subjective form and idea of science, the lower case "science" is the praxis (combination of theory and practice) of science. So if I say that Science gave birth to science then I am referring to the philosophy and idea of Science giving birth to the industrial practice of science. Hopefully that will become clear.

I find myself in a fascinating space of inquiry, integrity, and pace. I am collecting research for a study I'll be conducting next fall semester at Northern Arizona University. I would like to better understand the following: what do students in a college-level science course think of ethical practices, societal* obligations, and their role in the greater contribution of Science?

*Occasionally I like to refer back to the oldest recorded meaning of a word to gain a deeper context about what we're talking about. The asterisk in the previous paragraph is to define: society = ORIGIN mid 16th cent. (in the sense ‘companionship, friendly association with others’): from French société, from Latin societas, from socius ‘companion.’  via New Oxford American Dictionary.

How do these science students interpret Science? Do they see a difference between "bad" science and "good" science?

Ideas have been swirling inside my head for some time now about the role of science and how the education of Science-related topics are being carried out. Thus far, I have researched both Richard Tarnas' The Passion of the Western Mind: Understanding the ideas that have shaped our world view and David Orr's Earth in Mind to gain a deeper understanding of how science has become such a utilized practice and what this means for humanity. Both authors may seem rather alarmist at first but the research does show both great and disastrous deeds carried out in the name of Science. Tarnas observed:

"The same science that had dramatically lessened the hazards and burdens of human survival now presented to human survival its gravest menace."

Let's think of that statement like this...

On the one hand we have the following:

Astronomy passing down an old tale from Ptolemy's (90 AD-168 AD) understanding of the universe as it orbits around the Earth...

....only to be challenged later by Copernicus (late-1400s/early-1500s) that the Earth is not at the center, that perhaps our Sun is.

Physics teaching us that the Earth's rotation gives meaning to its gravitational field.

Chemistry allowing us to see how matter and energy combine to give us life and the surroundings of our world.

Geology helping us realize that even mountains are not forever.  

Hydrology giving us clues how water can vanish into thin air.

Biology showing us how Life really operates.

Ecology begging us to realize the interconnectedness of Life here on Earth.

Human beings are curious animals with a vast ocean of knowledge splashing at our feet. Pretty amazing if you stop and think for a minute just how much we've learned through exploration and a relentless pursuit for greater truths...

But we've also wielded the mighty force of Science to do other things:

Atomic bombs taking the lives of thousands of people (picture of the Nagasaki atomic bomb ending World War II). 

Byproducts of human-engineered economies. Economy: ORIGIN late 15th cent. (in the sense ‘management of material resources’): from French économie, or via Latin from Greek oikonomia ‘household management,’ based on oikos ‘house’ + nemein ‘manage.’ Current senses date from the 17th cent.

Chemical pollution.

Smock stacks converting our atmosphere into a more toxic and carbon dioxide heavy mixture.

Maybe this might be a good time for mindful rumination....

In my next journal entry I'd like to respond to a journal article entitled Planetary Boundaries: Exploring the safe operating space for Humanity by Rockström et al. regarding the following global issues of our time:

1. Chemical pollution
2. Ocean acidification
3. Rate of biodiversity loss
4. Atmospheric aerosol loading
5. Stratospheric ozone depletion
6. Biogeochemical flows
7. Global freshwater use
8. Land-use change
9. Climate change