Nature and Science

Prejudicial thinking is a vice common to all of us. It is our Unconscious prejudices wliich are harmful, and damage our reputations as clear thinkers. Fixed ideas are usually based on upbringing and education rather than logic. A scientific education is particularly liable to produce an illusory feeling of self-confidence. We should remember that the sciences are departmental, and deal only with abstractions from total experience. It behoves the scientist, therefore, to be modest and tolerant when expressing views on matters outside the realm of his own special field of knowledge. I am reminded of Oliver Cromwell's saying: " My brethren, by the bowels of Christ I beseech you, bethink you that you may be mistaken."