© ESL Study Guide
Topic: It is generally agreed that society benefits from the work of its members. Compare the contributions of artists to society with the contributions of scientists to society. Which type of contribution do you think is valued more by your society? Give specific reasons to support your answer.
Everyone contributes to society in a variety of ways. For example, medical researchers develop cures for a variety of diseases, physicists develop faster microchips and engineers may develop more efficient energy sources. Artists on the other hand, contribute to society, but in a different manner. Artists contribute to cultural advancement and marvels such as the Sistine Chapel that are remembered for centuries. Since technological advancements build on one another and are quickly forgotten about, I believe the contributions of artists are more important than those of scientists.
First, artists provide entertainment. After a long day at work or school, people need time to relax and relieve the stress that built up during the day. Many people relax by watching movies, listening to music, or playing video games. All of these activities are not the contributions of scientists, but rather the end product of artists. Consider the example of the Playstation 3, a common video game console. While the Playstation 3's graphics and processing speed may be the work of scientists, by itself, it is useless. The appeal of such a device is in the games that can be played on it, rather than the game itself. The stories and graphics of these games, are all works designed by artists rather than the scientists.
Second, artists greatly influence the culture or a society. Great parts of modern life are influenced by the artists of our times, regardless of whether people know them by name or not. The most appealing aspects of video games, famous drawings and sketches, sculptures, are all the creations of artists that can be enjoyed by everyone for centuries. This fame is something scientists rarely, if ever, achieve.
Lastly, artists allow people to view the characteristics of others and to see their own personal characteristics in an unbiased view. Artists creates play where one can watch how other people behave in a given situation and force viewers to put themselves in the actor's place through carefully crafted story lines and dialog. Even in cinema, viewers can see how other people live and behave. Art is about creating and showing a specific point of view to others.
In conclusion, I believe that artists contribute to society more than scientists because of the nature and influence of their contributions. Their creations both sooth and inflame society, helping people find passion for life rather than just added convenience. This is something that science will rarely accomplish.