Many Diverse Sciences in a Multipolar World

Science and technology are an expression of society.  Specifically, society and its interpretation of its societal tradition defines the rules of legitimizing science and technology.  Historically, there have been different sciences and technologies reflecting different societies and different rules used in legitimization.  This presentation assesses the present challenges and future acceptance of three sciences and technologies, i.e., the science and technology legitimized based on the Occidental Tradition, based on the Amerindian Tradition and the Sino Tradition.  Because the current situation of each of these sciences and technologies differs, the present challenges differ.  The science and technology legitimized based on the Occidental Tradition has been predominant for at least the last 300 years, but the Occidental Tradition sets limits to its development.  These limitations are assessed.  Science and technology legitimized based on the Amerindian Tradition and the Sino Tradition offer new paths forward, but science and technology legitimized based on the Amerindian Tradition will require the reconstruction of the Amerindian Tradition.