Why we need to understand science.

Carl Sagan shows his interests in nature when he was in childhood, and his parents cultivate the air of skepticism and curiosity for him. In the elementary, a picture of star attracted his attention so that he wanted to figure out what exactly know what it is. But he was not able to find clear answer from his parents and teachers. Then he went to libraries and sought for related books. I believe it is his own experience stirred up him to participate into broadcasting science to regular people. He mentioned in his essay that sometimes children asked their parents difficult questions, but their parents get annoyed because of failure to give the answer. This conducts the sink of children’s curiosity. He deeply understand that how important is the inquisitiveness. Thus he devoted himself to making television program as well as teaching for regular people’s realization of science. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Sagan

The essay mainly demonstrates the reasons why people need to understand science, what state of people’s understanding of science in US today and how this state formed. All these contents serve to one purpose, seriousness of science. The first reason emerges by a conversation with a man named William F. Buckley. William’s words remind Sagan of pseudoscience which fills the world. He thinks it is dangerous. The second reason is that society’s advances depend on science and technology. If people lack of the knowledge of science, the society will falls into hazardous abyss. People cannot live into better lives. The author put forward evidences that if medicine and agriculture progress, more lives will be saved, and if transportation, communication and entertainment advance, people’s sense of happiness will rise obviously. The benefits to the democracy act as the third reason. The author says sciences is not merely about body of knowledge but also a way of thinking. In the following passage, the author clarify that American students are wearer in science and algebra than other countries like Britain and Japan. He cites statistics from a newspaper to prove his point of view. For example, seventeen-years old students do worse than any other regions, and american kids spend 3.5 hours per week on homework while Japanese kids consume 33 hours per week. Then come the causes for the phenomena. America does not provide teachers with adequate money. And deficiency of tangible benefits is another reason. And the end of the essay, the author put forward solutions which are increasing teachers’ salaries, adding more scientific passages to the newspaper, and encouraging parents to help keep the children’s curiosity.

The essay is pretty persuasive. At the beginning, the author makes use of a personal story to attract readers. After that he post his worry and give the reason at the same time. Evidences are enough to fully develop his idea. Citation of statistic convinces reader well. The solution enable the whole essay consummate.