Abstract
MANY and various are the reasons which have been urged, at different periods of its history, for stimulating the study of chemistry. In recent years these have been either defensive or frankly utilitarian, in the latter feature recalling the less philosophic aspects of alchemy; moreover, it is to be feared that a substantial proportion of those who have lately hastened to prepare themselves for a chemical career have been actuated by this inducement. It is the duty, therefore, of those who speak with any degree of experience to declare that the only motive for pursuing chemistry which promises anything but profound disappointment is an affection for the subject sufficiently absorbing to displace the attraction of other pursuits. Even to the young chemist who embarks under this inspiration the prospect of success as recognised by the world is indeed slender, but, as his knowledge grows and the consequent appreciation of our ignorance widens, enthusiasm for the beauty and mystery of surrounding nature goes far in compensating for the disadvantages of his position. Not only do chemical principles underlie the operations of every industry, but every human being—indeed, every living plant and animal—is, during each moment of healthy life, a practical organic and physical chemist, conducting analytical and synthetical processes of the most complex order with imperturbable serenity. No other branch of knowledge can appeal for attention on comparable grounds; and without suggesting that we should all, individually, acquire sufficient chemical understanding fully to apprehend the changes which our bodies effect so punctually and so precisely— for this remains beyond the power of trained chemists—it may be claimed that an acquaintance with the general outlines of chemistry would add to the mental equipment of our people a source of abundant intellectual pleasure which is now unfairly denied them. In following the customary practice of surveying matters of interest which have risen from our recent studies, therefore, it is the purpose of this address to emphasise also those aesthetic aspects of chemistry which offer ample justification for the labour which its pursuit involves.
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Abridged from the presidential address delivered to Section B (Chemistry) of the British Association at Edinburgh on September 8.
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FORSTER, M. The Laboratory of the Living Organism1. Nature 108, 243–247 (1921). https://doi.org/10.1038/108243a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/108243a0