Abstract
THERE appeared in NATURE for February 13 last a criticism from the pen of Prof. F. Soddy of an attitude expressed by me in my book entitled “The Twin Ideals.” As there seems to be some possibility of misunderstanding, owing to the form of the work, may I briefly express the position I endeavoured to indicate? Those who indulge in the monastic attitude, who withdraw from the world and prosecute research of a recondite character, are outside reasonable criticism provided the work is done at their own expense. If, however, this work is to be supported from public funds, justification is necessary, and the justification has appeared to me to be twofold. In the first place, few people have the inclination or capacity for research, and it is therefore an attitude that should be encouraged. In the second place, practical discoveries of value are at times made incidentally to research of the kind. It appears to me, however, that much damage is done by the assumption on the part of such researchers that their efforts are the only line of research worth considering. I have never been able to satisfy myself that research conducted with a definitely practical end in view would not be equal to, if not more valuable than, the monastic form. I have, therefore, simply asked that in their attitude to the world at large those who prefer the life of the scientific recluse should recognise the equal value of the work of those whose inclinations take them in a practical direction, and that they should not seek to divert bright young intelligences into their own channel of activities when they tend to develop in the opposite direction.
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BARRETT, J. Research and Service. Nature 103, 404 (1919). https://doi.org/10.1038/103404a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/103404a0
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