SCIENCE AND THE FUTURE OF MAN

SCIENCE AND THE FUTURE OF MAN

The human race is simply an end product of accumulated mutation which have been sorted out over times by the omnipotent power of natural selection. They have been so many dissertations attempt to prophesy the direction and future condition of the human race contrary to popular belied humans continue to evolve our bodies and brains are not the same as our ancestors were as our descendants will be science may affect human life in two different ways on the one hand without altering men’s passion or their general outlook, it may increase their power of gratifying their desires on the other hand it may operate through an effect upon the imaginative conception of the world, the theology or philosophy which is accepted in practice by energetic men. The latter is a fascinating study, but I shall almost wholly ignore it. In order to bring my subject within a manageable compass, I shall continue myself almost wholly to the effect of science in enabling us to gratify our passions more freely, which has hitherto been far the more important of the two.

From my point of view, I shall divide the sciences into three groups physical, biological and anthropological in the physical group I include chemistry and broadly speaking any science concerned with the properties of matter apart from the life in the anthropological group I include all studies especially concerned with man human physiology and psychology (between which no sharp line can be drawn) anthropology, history, sociology and economics. All these studies can be illuminated by considerations drawn from biology for instance, Rivers threw a new light on parts of economics by adducing facts about landed property among birds during the breeding season but in spite of their connection with biology a connection which is likely to grow closer as time goes on they are broadly distinguished from biology by their methods and data, and deserved to be grouped apart, at any rate in a sociology inquiry.

The effect of the biological sciences, so far, has been very small no doubt Darwinism and the idea of evolution affected men’s imaginative outlook, arguments were derived in favor of free competition, and also of nationalism. But those effects were of the sort that I propose not to consider. It is probable that great effects will come from these science sooner or later. Mendel-ism might have rationalized agriculture, and no doubt some similar theory will do so sooner or later. Bacteriology may enable us to exterminate our enemies by disease. The study of heredity may in time make eugenics an exact science and perhaps we shall in later age be able to determine at will the sex of our children. This would probably lead to an excess of males, involving a complete change in family institution. But these speculations belong to the future.

The anthropological sciences are those from which a priority, we might have expected the greatest social effects, but hitherto this has not proved to be the case partly because these sciences are mostly still at an early stage of development. The most effective of the anthropological sciences has been medicine, through its influence in sanitation and public health, and through the fact that it has discovered how to deal with malaria and yellow fever. Birth-control is also a very important social fact which comes into this category.

One general observation to begin with science has increased man’s control over nature and might therefore be supposed likely to increase his happiness and well-being. This would be the case if men were rational, but in fact they are bundles of passion and instincts. An animal species in a stable environment, if it does not die out, acquires an equilibrium between its passions ans the condition of its life. If the conditions are suddenly altered, the equilibrium is upset.

The future effects of the anthropological sciences this is of course extremely conjunctive, because we do not know what discoveries will be made the effect is likely to be far greater than we can now imagine because these sciences are still in their infancy. Birth-control is a matter of great importance particularly in relation to the possibility of a world government which could hardly be stable if some nations increase their population much more rapidly than others. At present birth-control is increasingly in all civilized countries, though in most it is opposed by the governments. This opposition is due partly to mere superstition and desire to conciliate the catholic vote, partly to the desire for the large armies and severe competition between wage earns, so as to keep down wages to solve the population question this is another reason for desiring a world government.

We come to the question of eugenics, we may perhaps assume that if people grow less superstitions, government will acquire the right to sterilize those who are not considered desirable as parents. This power will be used at first, to diminish imbecility, a most desirable object but prove imbecility, so that rebels of all kinds will be sterilized. Epileptics, consumptives, dipsomaniacs and so on will gradually be included, in the end, there will be a tendency to include all who fail to pass the usual school examinations.

Eugenics has of course more ambition possibilities in a more distant future. It may aim not only at eliminating undesired types but at increasing desires types moral standards may alter so as to make it possible for an man to be the sire of a vast progeny by man different mothers.

In conclusion it may seem as though I had been at once gloomy and frivolous in some of the prognostications. I will end however, with the serious lesson which seems to me to result men sometimes speaks as though the progress of science must necessarily be a boon to mankind, but that, I fear is one of the comfortable nineteenth century delusions, which our more disillusioned age must discard. Science enables the holders of poor to realize their purpose more fully them they could otherwise do if their purposes are good this is a gain, if they are evil, it is a loss.

We may sum up this discussion in a few words, science has not given men more self-control, more kindliness or more power of discounting their passions in deciding upon a course of action.

 

REFERENCES

1. Russell (See his Daedalus, or science and the future) www. Wikipedia
2. S. I. Udoidem Victor I. B. Inoka (A compendium on the History and philosophy of Science) African Heritage Research and publication Lagos, 2006.

 

TOURISM CONTRIBUTION TO NIGERIA ECONOMY

TOURISM CONTRIBUTION TO NIGERIA ECONOMY

Tourism is an increasingly vital part of the Nigerian economy. Throughout the world, tourism bring money cities and countries. Tourism also provides jobs for the local residents, further benefiting the destination. Nigeria has realized the profits available from this sector. Thanks to its growing economy and promoting itself as a culturally rich and diverse nation, Nigeria tourism industry now brings millions of dollars into the economy each year.

As of 2010, more than 100 million people live in Nigeria, making it the most populated country in Africa and the most populated country in the whole of black race.

Tourism is becoming more and more a vital part of the Nigerian economy with the rapid expansion and growth of the hospitality industry even though most of the population is urban with the rural gradually coming up and still works in Agriculture, Nigeria service-based economy has rapidly brought about a thriving development, especially in the last 20 years when Nigeria liberalized its markets.

The services sector employs about 30 percent of Nigeria’s workforce, yet provides about half of its output. Nigeria depended on its large English – speaking, well-educated workforce to develop a burgeoning technology sector, as well. Tourism is a growing portion of Nigeria’s economy with an earning increase of more than 10 percent from 2010.

In 2011, more than 2 million tourists visited Nigeria, the various international church crusades and conferences coupled with foreign investors on business tourism make the bulk of the tourists and spent the equivalent of $3.7 million U.S Dollars and this figure is expected to rise by 10 percent increase year by year.

Tourists are attracted by Nigeria’s cultural diversity, scenery and festivals each region of Nigeria offer something for foreign visitors, from Obudu Cattle Ranch, Osun Osogbo Groove, Olumo rock, Agbokim Water Falls in Calabar and a number of beaches and coastal in cities.

Not only are foreign tourists traveling to Nigeria, after the awareness created by the NTDC, Nigeria themselves has also started taking more domestic vacations, as well. The country’s gradual economic growth has increased its middle class population. This group is contributing the most to domestic travel.

Nigeria being an agrarian nation can’t d-emphasize the importance of agriculture not only to her economy but also to general well being of the populace. The basic importance of agriculture to Nigeria include but not restricted to provision of food for all provides employment for about 70% of the population sources of family and nation income, generate savings both external and internal revenue, supplies new materials for users of products of other sector thus encouraging economy activities and finally contributes significantly to the GDP about 32%.

COMPARISON OF TOURISM AND AGRICULTURE TO THE CONTRIBUTION OF NIGERIA ECONOMY

1)      Employment agriculture; is by far one of most  important sector of Nigeria economy ,engaging about 70% of the labor  force in various agricultural activities e.g. fishing, farming, hunting etc. Tourism industry also provide employment opportunities with tourism comes hotels, restaurants, car rental agencies, four companies, service station, solvent shops, sport equipment rentals and mush more which create different levels of employment for people in a given location or community where tourist center is sited e.g. tinapa, yankari gave conservers, Olumo rock, olokola cultural resort etc

2)      They both contribute to the countries GROSS DOMESTIC PROFIT (GDP)Agriculture contributed 32% to the country (Nigeria) GDP in 2009 (Nigeria agriculture 1999) the agricultural product: can be divided into two main groups; food, crops, produced for home consumption and export products, goods expected to other countries tourism being an employment of labour contributed about 10% to the countries GDP according to the former Finance Minister, Alhaji Adamu Groma, says that there is great potential in the tourism industry which Nigeria is yet to key into.

3)      Foreign Earning/Exchange: The tourism industry makes room for foreign earning in the Nigeria economy. It does this by attaining foreigners from other countries to Nigeria e.g. The Tinapa or Obudu Cattle ranch in Cross River State attract foreigners to the state annually for site seeing and Holiday visit. Agriculture also encourage foreign exchange through international trade e.g. cocoa exportation, rubber exportation etc.

4)      Poverty Reduction:  Both tourism and agriculture tend to reduce poverty as tourism provide  different level of jobs at subsistence and commercial level in the Nigeria economy e.g. transportation, small scale farming, trading, hotel, restaurants, car rentals, marketing etc Which provide income, employment and which reduces poverty.

The point works towards bringing a lasting development in the Nigeria Economy. Therefore the need for both the tourism and Agricultural industry to be revamp is crucial to the country’s development. It then calls for investment on these industries.

THE CONTRAST BETWEEN TOURISM AND AGRICULTURE TO THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE Nigeria ECONOMY

1)      Tourism is a business of activities connected with providing accommodation services and entertainment for people who are visiting i.e. tourism sector contributes to the Nigeria through providing opportunity (Job opportunity) to the hotel management, entertainers (e.g. site seeing visiting, leisure etc). When foreigners or people in the country visit the tourist center.

While agriculture is the cultivation  of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life i.e. agriculture contribute to the Nigeria economy through engaging people mostly in the cultivation of plant, fiber and other product to sustain life.

2)      Tourism contributes to the conservation of wildlife for food. Tourism conserve wildlife e.g. some animals or species that have almost gone one extinction are being conserved in some tourist site by providing an artificial environment three species, while agriculture is involve in the exploitation of the natural resources for sustenance of life .

3)      Tourism contribute to knowledge of culture tourism enable one experience hid own culture and other people’s culture i.e. It broadens one’s experience and knowledge of both your culture and other people culture through visiting of tourist site e.g. museum, olokola cultural resort etc. while Agriculture can only broadens one’s knowledge and understanding on the type of agriculture enterprise one is engaged to.

4)      Tourism mostly is people oriented and it encourages relationship between individual of both different and the same race e.g. foreigners relationship with local people. While agriculture don’t mostly create relationship between individual. It is usually business oriented.

5)      Transaction in agriculture does not necessarily involve physical contact take place through the net e.g. email, fax, text etc. while transaction in tourism attract the physical appearance of the individual or group coming or visiting the tourist site.

REFERENCES

Douglas John McConnell 1992, the Forest Garden Farms

United Nation World Tourism Organization 2004

Nigeria Agricultural 1999

National Daily