how would i apply the princple of privacy to charles darwin and his reluctance to publish his results on natural selection?
(princple of privacy= respect personal privacy and confidentality)
as in, how would i explain that he had no moral obligations to the science community to publish his results?
I believe that Darwin did have a moral obligation to publish his scientific results. Scientists also are obliged to present as much data as possible, rather than rushing to a publisher with incomplete information. In the time between the start of developing his theories and the publication of Origin of the Species, he worked on other publication, had health problems, and continued to develop and refine his evolution theories.
Check this site.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Publication_of_Darwin's_theory
thats what i think too, but i'm supposed to argue for the other side.
I suppose you could argue that no one has an obligation to publish what s/he knows. The theory of evolution wasn't of immediate benefit to mankind -- as say a cure for a deadly disease would greatly benefit the world.
To apply the principle of privacy to Charles Darwin's reluctance to publish his results on natural selection, you can explain that he had no moral obligations to the science community to publish his findings by considering the following:
1. Historical Context: It is essential to understand the historical context in which Darwin worked. During the 19th century, scientific research and ideas were often subject to intense scrutiny, criticism, and even condemnation. Many individuals held religious beliefs that conflicted with Darwin's theory of natural selection. Given this context, Darwin may have been concerned about the potential repercussions and backlash both personally and professionally by publicly sharing his ideas.
2. Personal Choice and Autonomy: As an individual, Charles Darwin had the right to make decisions about when and how to share his scientific findings. Just like any scientist or researcher today, Darwin had personal autonomy and the freedom to choose the timing and manner of publication for his work. Privacy principle respects personal choice and allows individuals to control the dissemination of their own information or research.
3. Fear of Rejection or Ridicule: Darwin likely had concerns about the potential negative consequences of openly sharing his research on natural selection. Given the controversial nature of his findings, he might have been reluctant to face rejection, ridicule, or damage to his reputation. By choosing to keep his research private initially, Darwin had the opportunity to gather more evidence, refine his theories, and prepare a more comprehensive and compelling argument for his ideas.
4. Importance of Collaboration: In science, collaboration is often valued, but it does not mean that an individual must reveal their research prematurely or against their will. Darwin understood the significance of thorough research and extensive evidence-gathering. By keeping his work private during his initial investigations, he had the opportunity to engage with trusted colleagues and refine his ideas further. This allowed for a more robust scientific contribution when he eventually decided to publish.
In summary, applying the principle of privacy to Charles Darwin's reluctance to publish his results on natural selection can be explained by considering the historical context, personal choice and autonomy, fear of rejection or ridicule, and the importance of collaboration in scientific research. It is important to recognize that scientists, just like any other individuals, have the right to privacy and control over the dissemination of their work.