In a spiral galaxy, the ratio of dark-to-light matter is about a factor of ten. That's probably a good number for the ratio of our ignorance-to-knowledge. We're out of kindergarten, but only in about third grade.
I try to do my science in a moral way, and, I believe that, ideally, science should be looked upon as something that helps us understand our role in the universe.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Science should be conducted ethically and seen as a tool for understanding our place in the universe.
Vera Rubin emphasizes the moral responsibility that comes with scientific inquiry, highlighting that science should not only seek to unveil the mysteries of the universe but should also guide us in understanding our ethical and existential positions within it. By elevating science beyond mere experimentation and observation, Rubin advocates for a perspective where scientific knowledge enriches our comprehension of life and our responsibilities as stewards of knowledge.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the ethical implications of scientific research during a science conference.
More from Vera Rubin
All quotes →We need senators who have studied physics and representatives who understand ecology.
Nobody ever told us all matter radiated. We just assumed it did.
There was just nothing as interesting in my life as watching the stars every night.
I had the usual friends who pointed out constellations of stars. But it really was watching the stars. It was getting some sense of the motion of the earth. I found it a remarkable thing.
I think the question is, are there women and have there been women who want to do science and could be doing great science, but they never really got the opportunity?
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Science seeks the truth. And it does not discriminate. For better or worse it finds things out. Science is humble. It knows what it knows and it knows what it doesn’t know. It bases its conclusions and beliefs on hard evidence -- evidence that is constantly updated and upgraded. It doesn’t get offended when new facts come along. It embraces the body of knowledge. It doesn’t hold on to medieval practices because they are tradition.