scientific research or so-called "less useful"?

Money for postgraduate research is limited; therefore, some people think that financial support from governments should be provided only for scientific research rather than research for less useful subjects. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

biodegradable plastic=>A compelling example of why scientific research deserves funding is a 2025 Japanese initiative, where scientists developed a biodegradable plastic that breaks down in seawater within an hour.

nhựa có thể phân hủy sinh học (không gây ô nhiễm lâu dài)

revolutionise waste management =>This innovation could revolutionise waste management and address the urgent issue of marine pollution.

cách mạng hóa hệ thống xử lý rác

compelling example =>A compelling example is a 2025 Japanese project in which scientists successfully developed a biodegradable plastic that disintegrates completely in seawater within just one hour.

ví dụ thuyết phục, ấn tượng mạnh

yields tangible solutions=>Therefore, allocating limited financial resources to scientific disciplines is a more efficient investment, as it yields tangible solutions to real-world problems.

tạo ra giải pháp cụ thể, hữu hình

cross-border collaboration =>This kind of cross-border collaboration is rarely seen in other academic fields and demonstrates how science can unite nations for the common good

hợp tác xuyên biên giới / giữa các quốc gia

high-skilled employment =>as artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into daily life—from facial recognition to automated decision-making in healthcare and finance—it raises complex ethical questions that scientific knowledge alone cannot resolve. It is ethicists and philosophers—not scientists—who develop conceptual tools and moral frameworks to evaluate whether these technologies respect human rights, ensure fairness, and preserve autonomy

việc làm đòi hỏi kỹ năng cao

photovoltaic materials =>A clear example is the rise of the solar energy sector, particularly the widespread use of solar panels, which has expanded rapidly due to sustained scientific research in photovoltaic materials and engineering

vật liệu quang điện (dùng trong tấm pin mặt trời)

so-called =>Many so-called “less useful” disciplines also contribute significantly to national economies, especially through cultural and creative industries.

được gọi là (thường dùng để hoài nghi hoặc phản biện)

soft power =>In addition to ethical and legal concerns, non-scientific research contributes significantly to a nation’s soft power and global standing

sức mạnh mềm (ảnh hưởng văn hóa, giá trị...)

cultural capital =>Italy's cultural capital makes it a top destination for tourists.

vốn văn hóa (giá trị phi vật chất của một nền văn hóa)

ethical integrity =>Without sustained inquiry in these so-called “less practical” fields, societies may prioritise technical efficiency over ethical integrity, potentially normalising harmful practices under the guise of innovation.

sự toàn vẹn đạo đức

human agency=>In an increasingly automated world, preserving human agency is crucial to ensuring that individuals remain in control of their decisions rather than becoming passive recipients of technological commands.

quyền kiểm soát và tự do hành động của con người

preserve autonomy=>While technological innovation often prioritises efficiency, researchers in ethics highlight the need to preserve autonomy and ensure ethical integrity

bảo vệ sự tự chủ, đặc biệt là quyền tự quyết của con người trong môi trường công nghệ

prompts legal safeguards=>Their work not only stimulates public debate but also prompts legal safeguards that prevent the misuse of emerging technologies.

• prompt = thúc đẩy, khơi gợi

disciplinary contribution =>A society that values only scientific research risks losing the disciplinary contribution of fields like ethics, which are essential for guiding responsible technological development.

đóng góp riêng của từng ngành học (discipline = ngành)

academic inquiry =>Restricting funding to only scientific subjects may undermine the diversity of academic inquiry that is necessary for a well-rounded understanding of societal issues.

quá trình tìm tòi, nghiên cứu có hệ thống trong học thuật

passive recipients =>>In an increasingly automated world, preserving human agency is crucial to ensuring that individuals remain in control of their decisions rather than becoming passive recipients of technological commands.

Người tiếp nhận một cách thụ động (không chủ động kiểm soát hay phản ứng)

algorithm-driven decisions =>In 2023, a lawyer submitted legal documents generated by an AI chatbot, which cited fictional court cases that did not exist. This incident not only embarrassed the legal team but also highlighted the dangers of blindly trusting algorithm-driven decisions without critical scrutiny

Các quyết định được đưa ra dựa trên thuật toán
→ tức là con người để hệ thống máy móc / AI đưa ra quyết định thay vì tự mình quyết định.

analyse historical narratives =>In fact, academic inquiry in fields like literature, history, and traditional arts plays a pivotal role in shaping national identity and fuelling cultural industries. In countries such as Italy, France, and Japan, scholars in these disciplines have conducted extensive research to preserve ancient manuscripts, analyse historical narratives, and reinterpret cultural practices for modern audiences

• phân tích các câu chuyện / cách diễn giải lịch sử
  → Tức là nghiên cứu cách quá khứ được kể lại, hiểu theo góc nhìn nào, có bị thiên lệch không, ảnh hưởng đến hiện tại như thế nào.