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Scientific pursuits require both learning new concepts and letting go of outdated beliefs.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.
Mom was an academic, so the riches that she had to bestow were of the mind.
Kids are never the problem. They are born scientists. The problem is always the adults. They beat the curiosity out of kids. They outnumber kids. They vote. They wield resources. That's why my public focus is primarily adults.
Above all, a book is a riverbank for the river of language. Language without the riverbank is only television talk - a free fall, a loose splash, a spill.
When I read a book I seem to read it with my eyes only, but now and then I come across a passage, perhaps only a phrase, which has a meaning for me, and it becomes part of me.
So many organizations have a mentoring arm, but they don't really do it. Their idea of mentoring a kid is giving them general advice. But what they need to do is read with children.
In many of the high schools in the South Bronx, more children will end up in prison than will go to college.
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