What is the nature of the scientific attitude, the attitude of the man or woman who studies and applies physics, biology, chemistry, geology, engineering, medicine or any other science? We all know that science plays an important role in the societies in which we live.
The first of these is the application of the machines, products and systems of applied knowledge that scientists and technologists develop. Through technology, science improves the structure of society and helps man to gain increasing control over his environment.
The second aspect is the application by all members of society of the special methods of thought and action that scientists use in their work. What are these special methods of thinking and acting?
—he wants to find out how and why the universe works. He usually directs his attention towards problems which he notices have no satisfactory explanation, and his curiosity makes him look for underlying relationships even if the data available seem to be unconnected.
Moreover, he thinks he can improve the existing conditions and enjoys trying to solve the problems which this involves. He is a good observer, accurate, patient and objective and applies logical thought to the observations he makes. For example, trained observers obtain a very large amount of information about a star mainly from the accurate analysis of the simple lines that appear in a spectrum. He is skeptical—he does not accept statements which are not based on the most complete evidence available—and therefore rejects authority as the sole basis for truth.
Lastly, he is highly imaginative since he often has to look for relationships in data which are not only complex but also frequently incomplete.
These seem to be some of the ways in which a successful scientist or technologist thinks and acts.
A. First of all, it seems that a successful scientist is full of curiosity
B. To begin with, he is not only critical of the work of others, but also of his own
C. Scientists always check statements and make experiments carefully and objectively to verify them.
D. Furthermore, he needs imagination if he wants to make hypotheses of how processes work and how events take place.
E. He knows that man is the least reliable of scientific instruments and that a number of factors tend to disturb objective investigation.
F. He uses the facts he observes to the fullest extent.
G. Many people believe, however, that our progress depends on two different aspects of science.
