--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I do not believe that the present…" description: "\"I do not believe that the present flowering of science is due in the least to a real appreciation of the beauty and intellectual discipline of the subj..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea5/derek-barton-87813_application_i-do-not-believe-that-the-present-flower_315235.jpg" --- # I do not believe that the present flowering of science is… ![“I do not believe that the present flowering of science is due in the least to a real appreciation of the beauty and intellectual discipline of the subject. It is due simply to the fact that power, wealth and prestige can only be obtained by the correct application of science.” quote by Derek Barton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea5/derek-barton-87813_application_i-do-not-believe-that-the-present-flower_315235.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea5/derek-barton-87813_application_i-do-not-believe-that-the-present-flower_315235.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea5/derek-barton-87813_application_i-do-not-believe-that-the-present-flower_315235.jpg) > “I do not believe that the present flowering of science is due in the least to a real appreciation of the beauty and intellectual discipline of the subject. It is due simply to the fact that power, wealth and prestige can only be obtained by the correct application of science.” [Derek Barton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-barton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The current surge in scientific activity is driven more by the pursuit of power, wealth, and prestige than by genuine admiration for its beauty and intellectual rigor. **In simple terms:** Science growth is motivated by status, not just curiosity. Key Takeaway Recognize and reward pure curiosity. Themes science motivation ethics power Mood critical reflective Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - research funding decisions - academic career planning - policy making - public science communication Key Concepts intrinsic vs extrinsic incentives institutional pressure Questions to Reflect On - How do incentives shape scientific priorities? - Can we balance prestige with genuine curiosity? A Different Perspective The quote may overlook collaborative and altruistic motivations that also fuel science. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Application](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/application/) [Appreciation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appreciation/) [Beauty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beauty/) [Beauty Intellectual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beauty-intellectual-2983274/) [Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discipline/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Flowering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flowering/) [Flowering Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flowering-science-2983275/) [Gratitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gratitude/) [Intellectual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intellectual/) [Intellectual Discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intellectual-discipline-333816/) [Prestige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prestige/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Science Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science-real-334060/) [Subjects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/subjects/) [Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth/) ## Related quotes > [When I was a seminarian, I was dazzled by a girl I met at an uncle's wedding. 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Science is our only real hope; all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/for-mankind-science-is-the-only-real-candle-in-this-dark-universe-all/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Science always interested me, and science, real science, was more science fiction than science fiction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-hershman-leeson/science-always-interested-me-and-science-real-science-was-more/) [Lynn Hershman Leeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-hershman-leeson/) > [Before a war military science seems a real science, like astronomy; but after a war it seems more like astrology.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-west/before-a-war-military-science-seems-a-real-science-like-astronomy-but/) [Rebecca West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-west/) > [We need to have real science, and real science doesn't happen under the hand of lobbyists with a conflict of interest. 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