CHAPTER VIII
HIGHWAYS AND BY-WAYS
Practical Aims of Science.—Pure Search for Truth.—Retrospective Considerations.—The Practical Side of Kepler.—A Saying of Kant.—Mathematics as a Criterion of Truth.—Deductive and Inductive Methods.—Conceptual and Perceptual Knowledge.—Happiness and the Pleasures of Theory.—Achievements of Science and Works of Art.—Ethical Results.—Minor Questions.
AGAIN we chanced to refer to the great subject: Can or should theoretical science also pursue practical aims?
It is impossible to overrate the importance of this question. It haunts us daily and often enough looms up threateningly on the horizon of mankind. Observe what form the discussions of educated people take when the finest and most sublime achievements of mind are being debated: one talks of the wonders of research in the remotest corners of astronomy where the structures of world-wide star-systems are being investigated; we hear observations about the theories that aim at tracing the cosmogonic development of universes from the original chaos of countless ages ago. We hear mention of exalted sciences, the Theory of Functions and Numbers, whose founders and representatives are just as remarkable in propounding problems as in solving them, and inevitably the following question obtrudes itself: Of what use is it, ultimately? What can one do with it? Can it be admitted that theoretical science has an object of its own, or have we at least the right to maintain the hope that, sooner or later, it will bring us a real "Utility" expressible in practical terms?
And just as the devotees of pure art have framed the expression, "L'art pour l'art," so Einstein proclaims that science is its own object, "Science for its own sake!" It carries its aims absolutely in itself and must not, through aiming at other purposes, stray from its own highways. "It is my inner conviction," said he, "that the development of science itself seeks in the main to satisfy the longing for pure knowledge, which, psychologically, asserts itself as religious feeling."
"To yourself, Professor, the practical aspect seems comparatively insignificant?"
"I did not say that, and it was not implied in the question. We must not lose sight of our premises. As long as I am interested in working along lines of research—this was the assumption—the practical aspect, that is, every practical result that is found simultaneously or arises out of it later, is a matter of complete indifference to me."
Far be it from me, even in thought, to wish to question this confession of faith, particularly as the fact that it comes from a searcher of the truth gives it the more weight. Yet a certain uneasiness has crept over me because voices have recently made themselves heard that demand for science a totally different tendency. They arise not only from the public at large, but also from academic circles. Just a short time ago I read an exposition by a well-known scientist, W. Wien, in which he indulged in a violent polemic against the view that purely scientific objects are alone valid. Professor Wien addressed himself particularly to German physicists, reproaching them with underestimating technical science, and with regarding it as a "lowering of status" when a physicist enters into practical life.
To this Einstein remarked: "I do not know at whom this reproach is aimed, but I venture to think that my own attitude can never have given rise to an attack of this kind. For I make no divisions of rank, and recognize no higher and no lower status. I affirm only what is the nature of science herself, and the objects according to which she, objectively, has to direct her gaze. Whatever further orientation individual investigators may seek for themselves depends on the determining conditions of life of each, although these conditions do not serve as a means for deducing the main lines of research. The accusation that I am unwarranted in putting forward this view will, I hope, not be levelled at me, for my connexions with practice are manifold enough, and up to the present moment I have often collaborated with practical physicists...."
"As I have regretfully observed when you were obliged to interrupt a conversation with me to give an audience to impatient persons seeking advice in technical matters!"