Those whose thinking is disciplined by science, like all others, need a basis for the good life, for aspiration, for courage to do great deeds. They need a faith to live by. The hope of the world lies in those who have such faith and who use the methods of science to make their visions become real. Such visions and hope and faith are not a part of science.
Interpretation
Scientific thinking requires a foundation of faith and hope for achieving greatness and purpose in life.
In this quote, Arthur Compton emphasizes the idea that while scientific thinking is essential for understanding the world, it is not sufficient on its own to inspire people to aspire or take courageous actions. Compton argues that individuals need a belief system—a faith—in order to ground their ambitions and to transform their visions into reality. Thus, the integration of science with hope and faith becomes crucial for the progress and betterment of society.
In practice
In a motivational speech about the importance of combining scientific inquiry with personal values.
The scientist who recognizes God knows only the God of Newton. To him the God imagined by Laplace and Comte is wholly inadequate. He feels that God is in nature, that the orderly ways in which nature works are themselves the manifestations of God's will and purpose. Its laws are his orderly way of working.
Yet is it possible in terms of the motion of atoms to explain how men can invent an electric motor, or design and build a great cathedral? If such achievements represent anything more than the requirements of physical law, it means that science must investigate the additional controlling factors, whatever they may be, in order that the world of nature may be adequately understood.
Scriptures were written, not to satisfy our curiosity and make us astronomers, but to lead us to God, and make us saints.
Language is the most imperfect and expensive means yet discovered for communicating thought.
The collective unconscious consists of the sum of the instincts and their correlates, the archetypes. Just as everybody possesses instincts, so he also possesses a stock of archetypal images.
Am I a pessimist? Not at all. I am convinced that the history of the human race, no matter how tragic, will ultimately lead to the Kingdom of God. I am convinced that all the works of humankind will be reintegrated in the work of God, and that each of us, no matter how sinful, will ultimately be saved.
In the world of the celebrity, the hierarchy of publicity has replaced the hierarchy of descent and even of great wealth.
The duty of holding a Neutral conduct may be inferred, without any thing more, from the obligation which justice and humanity impose on every nation, in cases in which it is free to act, to maintain inviolate the relations of Peace and amity toward other Nations.
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