At no period of [Michael Faraday's] unmatched career was he interested in utility. He was absorbed in disentangling the riddles of the universe, at first chemical riddles, in later periods, physical riddles. As far as he cared, the question of utility was never raised. Any suspicion of utility would have restricted his restless curiosity. In the end, utility resulted, but it was never a criterion to which his ceaseless experimentation could be subjected.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge over practical utility in scientific exploration.
Abraham Flexner reflects on Michael Faraday's scientific career, illustrating that Faraday's primary motivation was not the practical application of his discoveries, but rather a relentless pursuit of understanding the fundamental mysteries of the universe. The quote highlights how Faraday's focus on exploration and curiosity led to significant advancements in both chemistry and physics, suggesting that true innovation often arises from inquisitiveness rather than a desire for immediate utility.
In practice
In a lecture about the importance of scientific inquiry, this quote can be used to illustrate how curiosity drives innovation.
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