Society for Freedom in Science

Abstract

FOUR years ago, a circular letter was sent to a few scientific men suggesting the formation of a new society to promote the causes of pure science and of freedom in science. A group of thirty was thus formed, which became the nucleus of the Society for Freedom in Science. The Society has recently issued a statement of its purpose and aims, which are summed up in five propositions; put briefly, these are: (1) increase of knowledge by scientific research and its diffusion have a primary human value; (2) science can only flourish in an atmosphere of freedom; (3) scientific life should be autonomous; (4) conditions of research appointments should give workers freedom to choose their own problems; (5) scientific men in countries not under dictatorial rule should co-operate to maintain freedom of research.