At no period of [Michael Faraday's] unmatched career was…
![“At no period of [Michael Faraday's] unmatched career was he interested in utility. He was absorbed in disentangling the riddles of the universe, at first chemical riddles, in later periods, physical riddles. As far as he cared, the question of utility was never raised. Any suspicion of utility…” quote by Abraham Flexner](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/127/abraham-flexner-29762_careers_at-no-period-of-michael-faraday-s-unmatc_2311712.jpg)
“At no period of [Michael Faraday's] unmatched career was he interested in utility. He was absorbed in disentangling the riddles of the universe, at first chemical riddles, in later periods, physical riddles. As far as he cared, the question of utility was never raised. Any suspicion of utility would have restricted his restless curiosity. In the end, utility resulted, but it was never a criterion to which his ceaseless experimentation could be subjected.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Faraday pursued pure curiosity over practical use, letting discovery guide value rather than utility.
In simple terms: He valued curiosity over usefulness.
Key Takeaway
Embrace curiosity first.
Themes
science
curiosity
innovation
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- research labs
- educational curricula
- personal projects
- policy making
Key Concepts
philosophy of science
intrinsic motivation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance curiosity with societal needs?
- What risks arise from ignoring utility?
A Different Perspective
Pure curiosity may not always yield immediate practical benefits.