Every student who enters upon a scientific pursuit, especially if at a somewhat advanced period of life, will find not only that he has much to learn, but much also to unlearn.
Interpretation
Scientific pursuits require both learning new concepts and letting go of outdated beliefs.
This quote emphasizes the duality of the learning process in science, illustrating that, in addition to acquiring new knowledge, students often must also discard old perceptions or misconceptions that hinder their understanding. John Herschel acknowledges the complex nature of education, especially for those who may have preconceived ideas that need to be reevaluated as they delve deeper into scientific exploration.
In practice
During a lecture on scientific methodology, this quote can highlight the importance of openness to new ideas.
Almost all the greatest discoveries in astronomy have resulted from what we have elsewhere termed Residual Phenomena, of a qualitative or numerical kind, of such portions of the numerical or quantitative results of observation as remain outstanding and unaccounted for, after subducting and allowing for all that would result from the strict application of known principles.
...Nature builds up her refined and invisible architecture, with a delicacy eluding our conception, yet with a symmetry and beauty which we are never weary of admiring.
To the natural philosopher, there is no natural object unimportant or trifling. From the least of Nature's works he may learn the greatest lessons.
Over 20 million children of conflict are out of school. Education is often forgotten.
When you wage war on the public schools, you're attacking the mortar that holds the community together. You're not a conservative, you're a vandal.
Leisure and curiosity might soon make great advances in useful knowledge, were they not diverted by minute emulation and laborious trifles.
The walls of the educational system must come down. Education should not be a privilege, so the children of those who have money can study.
The purpose of Compulsory Education is to deprive the common people of their commonsense.
I've said so often to pastors, if your sermon can't get out of your zip code throw it away. It has to be transcendent. If it can't be translated into another language then it's not a right reflection of the word of God.
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