--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When it was first proposed to establish…" description: "\"When it was first proposed to establish laboratories at Cambridge, Todhunter, the mathematician, objected that it was unnecessary for students to see e..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b95/bertrand-russell-69_cambridge_when-it-was-first-proposed-to-establish_1715892.jpg" --- # When it was first proposed to establish laboratories at… ![“When it was first proposed to establish laboratories at Cambridge, Todhunter, the mathematician, objected that it was unnecessary for students to see experiments performed, since the results could be vouched for by their teachers, all of them of the highest character, and many of them clergymen of…” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b95/bertrand-russell-69_cambridge_when-it-was-first-proposed-to-establish_1715892.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b95/bertrand-russell-69_cambridge_when-it-was-first-proposed-to-establish_1715892.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b95/bertrand-russell-69_cambridge_when-it-was-first-proposed-to-establish_1715892.jpg) > “When it was first proposed to establish laboratories at Cambridge, Todhunter, the mathematician, objected that it was unnecessary for students to see experiments performed, since the results could be vouched for by their teachers, all of them of the highest character, and many of them clergymen of the Church of England.” [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Russell critiques the idea that students need direct experimental exposure, trusting teachers' authority instead. **In simple terms:** He questions the need for hands‑on labs when teachers are trustworthy. Key Takeaway Consider the value of experiential learning. Themes education authority experimentation Mood critical reflective Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - university curricula - science education - teacher training Key Concepts epistemology pedagogy Questions to Reflect On - How does direct observation affect understanding? - When is trust sufficient? A Different Perspective Hands‑on experience may reveal insights teachers cannot convey. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cambridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cambridge/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church/) [Church of england](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church-of-england/) [Clergymen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clergymen/) [England](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/england/) [Experiments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/experiments/) [Laboratory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laboratory/) [Mathematician](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mathematician/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Students](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/students/) [Teacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teacher/) ## Related quotes > [When I mention religion I mean the Christian religion; and not only the Christian religion, but the Protestant religion; and not only the Protestant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fielding/when-i-mention-religion-i-mean-the-christian-religion-and-not-only/) [Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fielding/) > [Is the Church of England an Anglican church? 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