What is the contemporary science? by Kenzo
SAKAMOTO, Kodan-sha, 1978.1.20A370 yen
Kenzo SAKAMOTO; born in year 1931 at Kobe,
graduated Physical Science Department in
year 1953. Presently, Prof. of philosopher,
scientific history, at Kobe Mercantile Marine
College.
Content;
Foreword
1.Science for Scientist
2.Science for non-scientist
3.Science for ourselves
4.Science in history
5.Science for Japanese
6.Science for future
5.Science for Japanese
-Science in using Japanese language; Most
distinguished feature of Japanese science
is that Japanese language is used.
-There was a science in Japan; The word "science"
has been used for contemporary science in
the latter part of 20 th century in UK. However,
"science" means "wisdom, intelligence"
itself, and one should keep in mind that
criticizing of science would lead to denouncing
of wisdom.
-Acceptance of abroad thought and culture
-Tolerance, intolerance and politics
-Receptivity of Japanese
-Attitude of Edo period; Division of work
is established in Edo period. This is the
attitude to allow each heterogeneous thing
for each acceptable role. For Shito-izum
will have the role of obtaining earthly interest,
and for Buddhism the role of salvation in
next life, and Confucianism (Jukyou) was
for principle of politics.
-The Japanese spirit with Japanese heart
and western technology
-Import of science, connected with technology;
Western Sciences which were introduced at
the end of Edo period, were composed of practical
science such as medicine, military engineering,
art of navigation, engineering and chemistry.
All these were technology, fitted for methodology.
Hired scientists from abroad were obliged
to stay in scientific backyard country.
Teachers of physics started study of seismology,
which was done effectively in Japan, and
only possible area for them to start. Student
of that time entered the physics by assisting
the study of seismology (magnetic field).
These lead to study of nuclear physics, and
fruitful results of Dr. Hantaro NAGAOKA,
Yoshio NISHINA, Hideki YUKAWA, Shinichiro
TOMONOGAWA, were obtained.
-Self serving object of science
-Science for Japanese.
My Impression; This book was written rather
long time ago, and present current of science
(orientation to life science) was neglected.
However, Chapter 5. Science for Japanese
has still its brightness.