Art and science
Sir:. Horace Freeland Judson (4 June) says that science is this century's art. But it is what science has discovered that is, or may be, artistic. Science is but the methodical unpacking of the bulk delivery in the container-universe: it is therefore a craft. Yet even the DNA thing is not quite an art— although it is becoming something of a bore — but rather a fascinating quantitative puzzle. The differential calculus likewise, only more intellectually delightful. It is widely held, I believe, today, that God, art, love, aesthetics and all qualitative, mystical pastimes can very finally be reduced to science. It should be remembered that science can also be reduced to science.
But one of the greatest artistic works of science that I know of is the Epistle to the Romans, in which St Paul originally uncovers the conversion of Abraham to Christianity.
Thomas W. Gadd
171 Church Road, Flixton, Manchester
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