The physical sciences, good and innocent in themselves…
““The physical sciences, good and innocent in themselves, had already... begun to be warped, had been subtly manoeuvred in a certain direction. Despair of objective truth had been increasingly insinuated into the scientists; indifference to it, and a concentration upon mere power, had been the result… The very experiences of the dissecting room and the pathological laboratory were breeding a conviction that the stifling of all deep-set repugnances was the first essential for progress.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Science can be twisted by power motives, eroding objective truth and fostering indifference, while institutions may suppress dissent to claim progress.
In simple terms: Science can be misused for power, hurting truth.
Key Takeaway
Beware bias, protect integrity.
Themes
ethics
science
power
truth
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- policy making
- medical practice
- technology development
Key Concepts
philosophy
institutional critique
moral relativism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we safeguard truth in research?
- What pressures can corrupt scientific work?
A Different Perspective
Power can also drive genuine discovery, making the critique too one‑sided.