The objects of the Society for Freedom in Science.

  • Society for Freedom in Science.
Date:
1946
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The objects of the Society for Freedom in Science. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    THE OBJECTS OF THE /SOCIETY FOR FREEDOM IN SCIENCE SECOND EDITION (June, 1946) —— I During the last two decades there has developed a school of thought that attacks the conception of science as a search for truth and denies the right to free research directed solely to that end. Three con- tentions underlie this movement :— ~ (1) Science had its origin in efforts to satisfy the material needs and desires of ordinary human life. (2) The legitimate purpose of science is to meet these material needs and desires on an expanding scale, (3) Scientists cannot be left free to choose their own subjects of research, but must submit to central _ planning so that their work will be specifically de- _ yoted to the satisfaction of human material needs and desires, | In this movement pure science is actually derided and compared in value with the solution of crossword puzzles, * | _.These doctrines gained currency in Great Britain as a result of the visit of the Soviet delegation to the’ International Congress on the History of Science held in London in 1931. The effect of the new movement was already apparent at the Leicester meeting of * Bernal, J. D., 1939, The Soetal Function of Science. (Routledge, London.) The reference to crossword puzzles is on p. 97.
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