Social Responsibility vs. Political Advocacy
- PDF / 533,725 Bytes
- 2 Pages / 590.4 x 792 pts Page_size
- 23 Downloads / 239 Views
Social Responsibility vs. Political Advocacy Elton N. Kaufmann, MRS President
Few here would deny that the individual citizen should bear a burden of social responsibility and enjoy the right of political advocacy. But what about the institution? In particular, what about the institution which is a nonprofit learned scientific society. Most would agree that the burden of social responsibility not only remains but is multiplied by the greater than individual impact such an organization may have on society. The right of political advocacy however, if anything, is diminished and restricted. Again, because of the greater potential impact of an institution on the political process. In what arena is it appropriate for MRS to espouse a cause on behalf of its collective membership and the greater materials research community and where must it (or should it) remain either scrupulously neutral or totally silent? There are many gray areas here, but there are also some reasonably definitive and sensible guidelines. First, MRS is made up of individuals each of whom may, and does, express an opinion on any issue. If a sizable proportion of the materials community tends to hold a given view and
express it, then the Society will likely be viewed as holding that view in spite of the absence of an explicit and official endorsement. This is natural and not necessarily bad. But, in general, the Society must neither promote nor endorse a viewpoint simply because it represents that of the majority of its members. In some cases it would clearly jeopardize the privileged nonprofit status we enjoy as a scientific and educational organization. But more significantly,
Janis Quality! SuperTran Cryostat Systems These versatile cryostats combine a flexible transfer line with a cold finger sample mount and a variety of vacuum jackets. They provide fast cooldown to 2 K, and smoothly vary the temperature to 300 K (600 K, optional) with excellent stability. Complete systems are supplied with temperature sensors and automatic controllers, plus storage dewars and vacuum pumping stations. Please contact us with your requirement.
it would deter the materials researcher who holds the minority view from joining us. That is, it would add a criterion for selection of MRS, as the scientist's choice for a professional organization, which is not germane to the practice of materials research or the purpose of the Society. When we consider many controversial issues of the day which are either completely unrelated or highly tangential to our professional pursuits, it is easy to conclude that MRS must abstain from positiontaking, whether or not a consensus sentiment of the membership is perceived. When the issues strongly influence our professional lives, what is the proper role of the Society? In this arena, the Society has two choices. It may again eschew association with a controversial subject so as not to chance offending one side or the other (or both). Or it may step forward and insert itself as a neutral arbiter, as ombudsman, or discussion facilitato
Data Loading...
