Academic Quote by John Desmond Bernal
“We academic scientists move within a certain sphere, we can go on being useless up to a point, in the confidence that sooner or later some use will be found for our studies. The mathematician, of course, prides himself on being totally useless, but usually turns out to be the most useful of the lot. He finds the solution but he is not interested in what the problem is: sooner or later, someone will find the problem to which his solution is the answer.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Social Function of Science, 1939
Scientists may seem useless, but their work eventually finds purpose; mathematicians, though seemingly abstract, often become the most useful.
In simple terms: Useless work can become essential later.
Key Takeaway
Value research even if immediate use isn’t clear.
Themes
science
mathematics
utility
Mood
optimistic
analytical
Type
educational
inspirational
When to use this quote
- academic research
- technology development
- policy making
Key Concepts
philosophy of science
innovation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we better support seemingly abstract research?
- What examples show delayed usefulness of pure science?
A Different Perspective
Immediate applicability isn’t always evident, leading to funding challenges.
![“The problem [of specialization] is essentially that of communications to an army in action. After a rapid advance communications become disorganized, and there is a temporary halting until they are again in working order.” quote by John Desmond Bernal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/29d/john-desmond-bernal-14871_action_the-problem-of-specialization-is-essenti_695877.jpg)
![“[In eighteenth-century Britain] engineers for the most began as simple workmen, skilful and ambitious but usually illiterate and self-taught. They were either millwrights like Bramah, mechanics like Murdoch and George Stephenson, or smiths like Newcomen and Maudslay.” quote by John Desmond Bernal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c15/john-desmond-bernal-14871_ambitious_in-eighteenth-century-britain-engineers_929710.jpg)
