For the interest / In the interest
In his "Reflections on the Decline of Science in England", Charles Babbage writes:
At the time of the discovery of the beautiful theorem of Huygens, it required in its author not merely a complete knowledge of the mathematical science of his age, but a genius to enlarge its boundaries by new creations of his own. Such talents are not always united with a quick perception of the details, and of the practical applications of the principles they have developed, nor is it for the interest of mankind that minds of this high order should lavish their powers on subjects unsuited to their grasp. (p 20)
His point is basically that theoretical discoveries don't always find practical applications until the next century. The sentence about is defending the inventors that come up with new brilliant ideas, that are backed up by their school of thought ("complete knowledge"). He also states that they don't do it for the benefit of the mankind per se, but rather because they are "rocker scientists" and have the need to satisfy their scientific method of discovery (if I understand correctly). However, I don't understand why he says "subjects unsuited to their grasp".
- Does he mean those subjects that are to do with application of their discoveries and admin processes so it's not their job to come up with how to apply discoveries in practice, hence "unsuited", and it's not IN the interest of mankind that they waste time on it (but why he says FOR the interest?), and that their grasp is so valuable that somebody else with lesser grasp needs to take care of those things.
or
- Does he mean that some subjects are so great that they are unsuited for the grasp of theoretical scientists, in which case I don't understand him at all, since he's already claimed that they have a genius in them.
Since the latter point seems much less probable, the question can be reduced to: is saying for the interest, the same as saying in the interest, and can "unsuited to their grasp" mean that their time is so valuable that it shouldn't be wasted on matters so insignificant. Thanks all!
Top answer
Babbage died in 1871. His writing will be hard for us to read because English has changed since the middle of the eighteenth century. modern park 22 However, I don't understand why he says "subjects unsuited to their grasp".
- Babbage died in 1871.
- His writing will be hard for us to read because English has changed since the middle of the eighteenth century.
- modern park 22 However, I don't understand why he says "subjects unsuited to their grasp".
- The "subjects unsuited to their grasp" are matters that the scientist is not very good at despite whatever other genius he might possess, like a theoretical physicist who can't fix a toaster.
- In this case, the subject is the practical applications of his discoveries.
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Babbage died in 1871. His writing will be hard for us to read because English has changed since the middle of the eighteenth century.
modern park 22However, I don't understand why he says "subjects unsuited to their grasp".
The "subjects unsuited to their grasp" are matters that the scientist is not very good at despite whatever other genius he might
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