Aesthetic Quote by William Shockley
“Frequently, I have been asked if an experiment I have planned is pure or applied science; to me it is more important to know if the experiment will yield new and probably enduring knowledge about nature. If it is likely to yield such knowledge, it is, in my opinion, good fundamental research; and this is more important than whether the motivation is purely aesthetic satisfaction on the part of the experimenter on the one hand or the improvement of the stability of a high-power transistor on the other.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Nobel Lecture, William Shockley, 1956
Fundamental research is valued for its potential to generate lasting knowledge about nature, regardless of practical or aesthetic motivations.
In simple terms: Research should aim for enduring knowledge about nature.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize knowledge creation over immediate utility.
Themes
science
research
knowledge
motivation
fundamentals
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- grant proposals
- lab planning
- policy decisions
- academic curricula
Key Concepts
epistemology
scientific method
basic vs applied
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you assess the long‑term impact of a study?
- Can practical benefits arise from pure research?
A Different Perspective
Pure and applied research often overlap, making strict separation difficult.
![“[T]he history of science has proved that fundamental research is the lifeblood of individual progress and that the ideas that lead to spectacular advances spring from it.” quote by Edward Victor Appleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/188/edward-victor-appleton-84775_fundamentals_t-he-history-of-science-has-proved-that_1954794.jpg)
![“It has today occurred to me that an amplifier using semiconductors rather than vacuum is in principle possible. [Laboratory notebook, 29 Dec 1939.]” quote by William Shockley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/17b/william-shockley-50854_amplifier_it-has-today-occurred-to-me-that-an-ampl_2432064.jpg)
