ABSTRACT
Having participated in, or permitted, the construction of an environment in which scientific laws come to the fore, both materially, in technological products, and spiritually, in the ideas that are allowed to guide major decisions, we, scientists as well as the common citizens of Western civilization, are subjected to their rule. But social conditions change and science changes with them. Nineteenth century science denied the advantages of cultural plurality; twentieth century science, chastened by a series of rather upsetting revolutions and urged on by sociologists and anthropologists, recognizes them. The same scientists, philosophers, politicians who support science change science by this very support and they change the world with it. This world is not a static entity populated by thinking ants who, crawling all over its crevices, gradually discover its features without affecting them in any way. It is a dynamic and multifaced entity which affects and reflects the activity of its explorers. It was once a world full of gods; it then became a drab material world and it will, hopefully, change further into a more peaceful world where matter and life, thought and feelings, innovation and tradition collaborate for the benefit of all.
