No doubt science cannot admit of compromises, and can only bring out the complete truth. Hence there must be controversy, and the strife may be, and sometimes must be, sharp. But must it even then be personal? Does it help science to attack the man as well as the statement? On the contrary, has not science the noble privilege of carrying on its controversies without personal quarrels?
Interpretation
Science seeks truth and must engage in controversy, but it should remain objective and avoid personal attacks.
Rudolf Virchow emphasizes the importance of maintaining objectivity in scientific debates. He argues that while science inevitably involves controversy to uncover the complete truth, the discourse should focus on the ideas rather than personal character attacks. This approach preserves the integrity of scientific inquiry and allows for constructive dialogue that advances knowledge without descending into personal animosity.
In practice
This quote can be used during a scientific conference to emphasize the importance of objective debate.
Medicine is a social science, and politics is nothing else but medicine on a large scale. Medicine, as a social science, as the science of human beings, has the obligation to point out problems and to attempt their theoretical solution: the politician, the practical anthropologist, must find the means for their actual solution. The physicians are the natural attorneys of the poor, and social problems fall to a large extent within their jurisdiction.
Medical education does not exist to provide students with a way of making a living, but to ensure the health of the community.
The physicians are the natural attorneys of the poor, and the social problems should largely be solved by them.
If popular medicine gave the people wisdom as well as knowledge, it would be the best protection for scientific and well-trained physicians.
Disease is not something personal and special, but only a manifestation of life under modified conditions, operating according to the same laws as apply to the living body at all times, from the first moment until death.
Belief has no place as far as science reaches, and may be first permitted to take root where science stops.
I told him that for a modern scientist, practicing experimental research, the least that could be said, is that we do not know. But I felt that such a negative answer was only part of the truth. I told him that in this universe in which we live, unbounded in space, infinite in stored energy and, who knows, unlimited in time, the adequate and positive answer, according to my belief, is that this universe may, also, possess infinite potentialities.
Mitt Romney's energy policy is a relic of the 19th century. We need a 21st century plan. The fate of the planet is at stake.
Time travel was once considered scientific heresy, and I used to avoid talking about it for fear of being labelled a 'crank.'
Fantasy is the impossible made probable. Science Fiction is the improbable made possible.
It seems to be a general rule that sciences begin their development with the unusual. They have to develop considerable sophistication before they interest themselves in the commonplace.
I think the reason people are dealing with science less well now than 50 years ago is that it has become so complicated.
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