SCIENTIFIC APPROACH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26632, 1 December 1947, Page 4

SCIENTIFIC APPROACH

VALUE IN WORLD AFFAIRS BENEFIT TO COMMUNITY “I • am profoundly convinced that the correct approach to the world’s ills is not to blame science,” said Dr R. W. Gerard,'professor of physiology at the University of Chicago, to the Daily Times on Saturday. “ Science has greatly increased the power available to man, but it has had little or nothing to say in how that power should be used.” In scientific research and progress, he said, the method of attack was to make a rational approach—to form a hypothesis on the information available and to -experiment with it. leaving room for modification as it became necessary on the basis of additional data. That rational attitude was needed in the approach to human affairs. It was action on a plane of self-interest or narrow national interest which provoked trouble. Science, he said, was beginning to get an understanding of the simpler aspects of sociological problems. There were ’certain evolutionary trends which applied to humanity groups in the same way as to cell groups or any other mass forms. A realisation of this fact permitted a logical approach to the problems of humanity. Inadequate Teaching

The lack of this scientific method of reasoning was, he considered, in large part due to the failure to teach the way in which science operated adequately. The way of teaching concentrated too much on what happened rather than on why it happened. A groundwork of such scientific thought should be an integral part of the general education of every intelligent person, stated Dr Gerard. While stressing the necessity for the application of scientific methods and precepts to the community life, Dr Gerard at the same time deprecated the method of “popularising science” for the layman as practised by some magazines. Without a background of knowledge with which to assess the value of such information, the apparent simplicity with which such material was presented could be dangerous and misleading. Local Facilities In his brief visit to Dunedin, Dr Gerard has managed to see much of the University, pass on many of his ideas, and make a brief acquaintance with the countryside. He stated that he had been pleasantly surprised by the facilities offering at the physiology department of the University of Otago. “ This department is better housed and equipped than its counterparts in most of the world’s universities,” he said. “ You 'have every right to be very proud of it, and you are extremely fortunate to have Dr Eccles at its head. He is known all over the world as one of the major leaders in the field.” Dr Gerard also expressed congratulations on the policy of limiting the number of medical students “ instead of making the mistake of many of the American and Continental schools, where ,the students have no opportunity to receive individualised teaching, no time to think, and no room to do research work.” He questioned the necessity for even the number permitted annually at the Otago school, qualifying his opinion with the comment that hq was not familiar with the requirements of the country in doctors. On a population basis, however, when compared with the United States, New Zealand would only permit about half the present' number of medical students annually.