Abstract
THE recent communication by R. H. F. Finlay1represents a point of view which seems to have some currency at the present time: the right of ‘Science’ to govern. Is not this a threat to freedom? Since the foundation of science is the confession of truth, should we not admit that divided counsels are the breath of science; that not ‘certainties’ but hypotheses and theories form the stuff of science ; that the conclusions of science are no more than provisional opinions based on evidence ; that men of science have the virtues and vices of the politicians, trades unionists, lawyers, business men, peers and prelates through whom we govern ourselves today; that the omniscience proper to the law and so to government is foreign to science.; and that the part of science in the government (a part for which there is unbounded scope) is the provision of knowledge? For if ‘science’ assume authority, and the current beliefs of science have the force of law, freedom of opinion must perish and truth be shackled indeed.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
NATURE, 147, 119 (1941).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
WIGGLESWORTH, V. Science and Government. Nature 147, 206 (1941). https://doi.org/10.1038/147206b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/147206b0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.