Science has to be understood in its broadest sense, as a method for apprehending all observable reality, and not merely as an instrument for acquiring specialized knowledge.
Interpretation
Science is a comprehensive approach to understanding the world, beyond just specialized knowledge.
In this quote, Alexis Carrel emphasizes the importance of viewing science not merely as a tool for gaining specific information, but as a fundamental method of comprehending the entirety of observable reality. This broader perspective encourages an appreciation for the interconnectedness of knowledge and the relevance of scientific inquiry in various aspects of life.
In practice
During a lecture on scientific methodology, one might use this quote to illustrate the broader implications of scientific research.
Man offers himself to God. He stands before Him like the canvas before the painter or the marble before the sculptor. At the same time he asks for His grace, expresses his needs and those of his brothers in suffering. Such a type of prayer demands complete renovation. The modest, the ignorant, and the poor are more capable of this self-denial than the rich and the intellectual.
Hard conditions of life are indispensable to bringing out the best in human personality.
A few observation and much reasoning lead to error; many observations and a little reasoning to truth.
The first duty of society is to give each of its members the possibility of fulfilling his destiny. When it becomes incapable of performing this duty it must be transformed.
Discipline brings us effort, sacrifice and suffering. Later it brings us something of an inestimable value: something of which those who live only for pleasure, profit or amusement will always be deprived. This peculiar indefinable joy which one must have felt oneself to understand is the sign with which life marks its moment of triumph.
Those who desire to rise as high as our human condition allows, must renounce intellectual pride, the omnipotence of clear thinking, belief in the absolute power of logic.
Even those who do not, or cannot, avail themselves of a scientific education, choose to benefit from the technology that is made possible by the scientific education of others.
I think that the future of the human race is to spread through the universe, and now is the time that we should be laying the foundations for that.
The total disorder in the universe, as measured by the quantity that physicists call entropy, increases steadily over time. Also, the total order in the universe, as measured by the complexity and permanence of organized structures, also increases steadily over time.
The struggle against poverty in the world and the challenge of cutting wealthy country emissions all has a single, very simple solution... Here it is: Put a price on carbon.
Science proceeds more by what it has learned to ignore than what it takes into account.
The recent developments in cosmology strongly suggest that the universe may be the ultimate free lunch.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.