The rebsp and the right to seek, receive and impart information: interrelation and interdependence

Abstract

The right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications (REBSP) sets out the dilemma between scientific progress and social stability. This dilemma means wishing, on the one hand, improvement of scientific knowledge and new technological applications, and, on the other hand, stability in our moral and political representation of the society. Both ideas are desirable but sometimes cannot be confirmed at the same time. In this sense, the relationship between scientific progress and social stability is not always seen as peaceful because the first seeks change and the second seeks preservation. Knowledge improvement, scientific innovations and technological applications are not always evaluated as factors of social progress but they are sometimes seen as dangerous for social stability and social identity, subversive factors for the political, religious or economic order. From time to time, cases arise of societies with problems due to the increasing number of information channels. The advent of new technologies and the increasing demand for information have always given a great impetus to social advancement. For this reason,some governments suggest that people cannot have a right to seek, receive or impart a certain kind of information through a certain sort of channels.