For scholarship - if it is to be scholarship - requires, in addition to liberty, that the truth take precedence over all sectarian interests, including self-interest.
John PolanyiRead
Our assessment of socio-economic worth is largely a sham. We scientists should not lend ourselves to it - though we routinely do. We should, instead, insist on applying the criterion of quality.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The value of scientific work should not be judged solely by economic factors; quality should be the primary criterion.
In this quote, John Polanyi argues that the assessment of the worth of scientific research is often distorted by socio-economic factors, and scientists frequently compromise their integrity by adhering to these assessments. He emphasizes the importance of prioritizing quality over economic value, suggesting that scientific contributions should be evaluated based on their true merit rather than their perceived financial relevance.
Themes
ScienceQualitySocio-EconomicValueIntegrity
In practice
Example use cases
A scientist speaking at a conference about the importance of prioritizing research quality over funding.
More from John Polanyi
All quotes →If we treasure our own experience and regard it as real, we must also treasure other people's experience.
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It is this, at its most basic, that makes science a humane pursuit; it acknowledges the commonality of people's experience.
John PolanyiRead
When, as we must often do, we fear science, we really fear ourselves.
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