Abstract

Science And Atomic Age In José Reis’ Articles. Rev. iberoam. cienc. tecnol. soc. [online]. 2017, vol.12, n.35, pp.91-108. ISSN 1850-0013.

This paper analyzes the texts on the atomic age and nuclear energy written by the scientist José Reis (1907-2002) and published in the newspapers Folha da Manhã (1925-1959) and Folha de S. Paulo (1960-). Our period of analysis begins in 1947, when Reis started writing for the first newspaper, and finishes in 2002, the year of his last publication before his death. Nuclear energy was a very important topic in newspapers all over the world in the aftermath of WWII. In his texts, Reis stressed the “negative” side of nuclear energy, its use for war and the risks and damages associated to it. He also highlighted how the moral responsibility of scientists increases in front of these risks and their detrimental consequences. However, Reis also attempted to raise public awareness about the use of this energy with peaceful aims, such as in the medical and industrial fields. These activities had a social value: Reis gained credibilityamong his colleagues and the society due to his prominent role in the development of Brazilian science and the scientific divulgation in his country.

Keywords : Scientific divulgation; History of science; José Reis; Culture and science.