The Social Function of Science
- Author:
Bernal, F.R.S. Routledge, 12/6.
The participation of the scientific worker in public affairs has usually been disapproved of, by those in positions of scientific authority. This point of view was symbolised by A. V. Hill’s letter in Nature (pp. 132,?952) (1933) quoted in The Social Function of Science. Professor Bernal has done great service, both in exposing the falsity of this point of view, and in demonstrating the interaction of scientific and social phenomena. As he rightly points out, it has always been disastrous when there is a division between theory and practice. While it is difficult to emphasise all the important criticisms made in the first half of the book, the following are probably of most interest to those whose profession is research on the teaching of science :?
(1) Lack of co-ordination of research in different universities and institutions.
(2) Unbalanced nature of research; e.g., lack of funds to support biological and sociological research. As money for research comes often from industry it naturally goes to the physical sciences where some return is likely. Research in social biology tends to demonstrate the failure of the present system.
(3) Inadequate resources for research, including the humiliating seeking for grants which most scientists have to undergo.
(4) (a) Impossibility of long term research under the grant system.
Financial insecurity this system imposes on the young research worker.
(5) That owing to understating in the universities it is nearly impossible to do sound research and teach efficiently.
Problem of advancement through publication of quantity rather than quality.
(7) Suspicion of scientists interested in social affairs.
(8) Lack of contact between the different sciences causing lack of development of border line subjects.
As these points are ones of which every scientific worker is aware, it will be redundant to discuss them further in this review. It is hoped that Professor Bernal’s clear representation of them will lead to discussion in the various scientific societies. The second half of the book is perhaps less easy to evaluate. It mainly consists of suggestions for reducing the inefficiency of science which, in its turn, reflects the inefficiency of the social system. While it is known that adequate foodstuff could be supplied for all, the present system causes ” the cheapest goods at the highest prices that can be maintained by the restriction of competition.”
The haphazardness of Western European science is contrasted with the planned and adequate financial support given to research which prevails in Soviet Russia.
Besides the need for the complete reorganisation of science which would only be made possible by a change in the social system, Professor Bernal makes several suggestiops for immediate reform. One of these is the reform of the present method of publication. Instead of the present bulky and inconvenient journal, microfilms and a sorting system that would send papers to those needing them is suggested.
Another useful change would be some adequate and flexible method of contact between the different sciences. Then we , might plan to do corporatively what men like Galton did individually.
The writer feels that the book is open to criticism on one point and that is the lack of discussion of recent advances in psychology and anthropology. The Psychological Sciences are not in quite such a muddle as Professor Bernal suggests, and there are psychologists and sociologists who are not afraid to criticize the present social system. Also in any book on social matters surely more space ought to be given to discussion of the findings of the psychoanalysts.
However, if the book had been written by a social scientist no doubt equal neglect would be shown to important steps in physics and chemistry.
Professor Bernal is to be congratulated on the completion of such an immense and important task. It is to be hoped that all directors of laboratories will both read the book and act on some of its implications. Madeline Kerr.
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