A Challenge to Scientists
The Scientific Life. By John R. Baker. (Allen and Unwin. 7s. 6d.
" IT is," writes Dr. Baker, " precisely because the whole purPo of science is to discover that which is not and cannot be envisag that planning in science is self-contradictory ; it is as thoug explorers were to map an unknown country before they had reach it." His exciting polemic, The Scientific Life, is full of such con troversial statements. It is impossible to read his book withou the deepest feelings ; feelings of respect for his scientific passi and personal integrity, of violent disagreement with some of In views, of equally violent approval of some others. The book ! arousing discussion in all scientific institutions—which, of cours is its purpose.
To summarise Baker's views (I hope not unfairly): he believe that the greatest scientists do research because they want, simply to find out ; not necessarily because they want to produce somethin for immediate human use or gain • that scientists should be fr to choose whatever problem they like, within their general subject and receive their institute's backing on these terms ; that the act discovery is more likely to result from an inspirational flash than fro the final sorting of a mechanical card-index or its equivalent ; that th new thing discovered, as often as not, has but latent practical appli tion ; further, that the possibilities of the greatest discoveries hal always been latent ; that planning destroys the chance of such di coveries since (he alleges) it insists on immediate, "practical
results ; that freedom in science is in danger not only from scientists' personal inertia, but also from commercial temptation on the one hand, and the sinister machinations of totalitarian-minded groups on the other. Among the latter, Baker includes people ranging from Hogben, Haldane, J. G. Crowther, Waddington and the Soviet scientists to Moore-Brabazon.
I believe that John Baker's book will also do a tremendous amount of good. It will arouse criticism and discussion on a subject that was in dange: of being forgotten—the role of the scientist as a person. So much has been said about what " zcience " can or should do that it is time critics gave attention to " scientists as people," as he puts it. Meanwhile people must work, and plan, so that Dr. Baker and his colleagues can conduct their unplanned research.
JAMES FISHER.
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