Supremely Useful Research
Once in a while I get shocked by formulations of our academic leaders that are devoid of a sense of humanity. This just happened upon reading an essay by May R. Berenbaum, a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and Head of the Department of Entomology at the University of Urbana-Champaign. The essay concludes an issue of DAEDALUS, the Academy’s journal, on the theme of Science in the 21st Century.
In the following excerpt that I take issue with, she lauds Charles August Kraus as “one of the first scientists to anticipate the future of scientific enterprise.”
“A professor of chemistry at Clark University, Kraus presented “The Future of Science in America” on February 1, 1917, in honor of Founder’s Day at his home institution. Like Renan, he spoke of pure science as a noble pursuit:
‘The scientist, to be worthy of the name, must be possessed of an insatiable desire to extend knowledge in its most fundamental aspects. He must not count the years of preparation required to actually master his subject, nor the labor necessary to transmute a crude idea into a well polished, finished scientific product. He must never be satisfied with mediocrity, and must ever strive his scope in order that he may produce results of more fundamental importance.’
“Kraus went on to conduct supremely useful chemical research, directing Chemical Warfare Service at Clark during World War I, after which he left for Brown University, consulted on the Manhattan Project, and helped develop, among other things, the atomic bomb, Pyrex glass, leaded gasoline, and ultraviolet lamps.”
Well, I don’t believe I have to comment in detail on the utter absence of a moral compass in this distinguished scholar, which cannot see the irony in associating the label “supremely useful” with the development of the 20th Century’s most murderous weapons, and the irony that lies in the juxtaposition of Kraus’ lofty goals with his life’s practice. Nor do I have to point out the hilarity of seeing the atomic bomb in a list of accomplishments, right next to Pyrex glass and leaded gasoline.
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