Pim: That of course depends on how you define 'important issues'.
Science surely has affected some very important issues.
Mike: Like what?
Pim: Health for instance. Exploration of the unknown.
Mike: Since not all science deals with health, for example, is this science unimportant?
Geez Mike, now that I destroyed your argument you are trying to place words in my mouth that I did not utter?
Mike: But let's see. I think questions about who we are, why we exist, and right and wrong are more important. You think questions about our health and exploring the unknown are more important. Fine. Then answer my question this time. Surely, much progress in health could be made by experimenting on the mentally ill, criminals, the homeless, etc.
Based on what did you reach this conclusion? You are doing what you accused me of, thinking in extremes.
Mike: We'd also explore lots of unknowns instead of having to extrapolate from cells and animals. If what you say is really important, why don't we? Could it be there are things more important than health and exploring the unknown? Sure.
There is always a balance. But your argument was that "for the most part science does not deal with important issues". I am glad that we corrected that.