Arise Quote by Charles Babbage
“Scientific knowledge scarcely exists amongst the higher classes of society. The discussion in the Houses of Lords or of Commons, which arise on the occurrence of any subjects connected with science, sufficiently prove this fact…”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Parliamentary debate, United Kingdom, 19th century
The quote claims that educated elites rarely possess genuine scientific understanding, as evidenced by their superficial discussions in legislative bodies.
In simple terms: Elite classes lack real scientific knowledge.
Recognize and address gaps in scientific literacy among leaders.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- legislative meetings
- public hearings
- academic panels
- media interviews
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can scientific literacy be improved among policymakers?
- What mechanisms ensure informed debate on scientific issues?
The statement may overgeneralize; some elites are scientifically literate.