A Measure of Restraint or A Restraint on Progress

 

In his essay, Chet Raymo talks about the dangers of scientific exploration, using the subject of radium and the research of Marie Curie to support his argument. however, his claim that “the unexamined quest for knowledge is hemmed with peril” is ironic and paradoxical in the sense that knowledge is what makes society more aware. The danger stems from ignorance and the stubbornness that comes from not exploring things to completion. The only way to decrease the danger that Raymo is so afraid of is by understanding mysteries to the fullest of our ability. The solution that Raymo proposes to the problem of scientific exploration is itself a hazard. Without the knowledge that scientific discovery brings, humans will only continue to live in ignorance, putting them in more danger than they would've been in, had they been knowledgeable. In his essay, Raymo repeatedly criticizes Mary Curie, accusing her of using her discovery to gain fame and fortune instead of progress. However, no matter her true motivations, Curie's discovery revolutionized the usage of radium, including its role in the improvement of cancer treatment. Had Curie been afraid of the dangers that come with scientific discovery, the medical progress that we see today would not exist. While radium does have its downsides, it is not the discovery of the substance that should be feared, it is the commercialization and the people who use it for malicious intentions that should be feared. While Raymo's fear is warranted, it pales in comparison to the permanent benefits that scientific exploration brings.