[1994] I recently read Reichenbach’s From Copernicus to Einstein. The idea that scientists eventually forget the primitive wonder and become disenchanted with the subject matter has variations in so many other academic/intellectual disciplines. I think possible sources for such disenchantment include familiarity, concentration on the mechanics of the inquiry, time constraints, compartmentalization, lack of reflective skills, fatigue, fear, routine.
I am especially drawn to Reichenbach’s observation – “. . . The significance of Copernicus lies precisely in the fact that he broke with an old belief apparently supported by all immediate sensory experiences. He could do it only because he had at his disposal a considerable amount of accumulated scientific thought and scientific data, only because he himself had followed the road of disillusionment in knowledge before he glimpsed the new and broader perspectives” (pp. 13-14). The experience and concept of being disillusioned have been for me inseparable from my aggressive critique of ‘religion’ and my move toward being ‘with the world face to face’ in order to search for an approach to spirituality and ethics that is anchored in a realistic ‘eyes opened’ consideration of human experience. To be disillusioned is to be moved closer to reality. To be disillusioned is also to suffer a devastating blow to motivation, purpose, courage, resiliency, inspiration. Reconstituting one’s self/center whenever on the other side of being disillusioned is essential to sustaining the search.
I now see more clearly the symbolic significance of the invention and history of the telescope. Note: Galileo’s comment to Kepler – “I am very grateful that you have taken interest in my investigations from the very first glance at them and thus have become the first and almost the only person who gives full credence to my contentions; nothing else could be really expected from a man with your keenness and frankness. But what will you say to the noted philosophers of our university who, despite repeated invitations, still refuse to take a look either at the moon or the telescope and so close their eyes to the light of truth?” Galileo then described how another scientist refused to look through the telescope “because it would only confuse him” (p. 23-24).
Nothing shows better the greatness of a scholar’s character than his/her conduct in the face of failure.
I am especially drawn to Reichenbach’s observation – “. . . The significance of Copernicus lies precisely in the fact that he broke with an old belief apparently supported by all immediate sensory experiences. He could do it only because he had at his disposal a considerable amount of accumulated scientific thought and scientific data, only because he himself had followed the road of disillusionment in knowledge before he glimpsed the new and broader perspectives” (pp. 13-14). The experience and concept of being disillusioned have been for me inseparable from my aggressive critique of ‘religion’ and my move toward being ‘with the world face to face’ in order to search for an approach to spirituality and ethics that is anchored in a realistic ‘eyes opened’ consideration of human experience. To be disillusioned is to be moved closer to reality. To be disillusioned is also to suffer a devastating blow to motivation, purpose, courage, resiliency, inspiration. Reconstituting one’s self/center whenever on the other side of being disillusioned is essential to sustaining the search.
I now see more clearly the symbolic significance of the invention and history of the telescope. Note: Galileo’s comment to Kepler – “I am very grateful that you have taken interest in my investigations from the very first glance at them and thus have become the first and almost the only person who gives full credence to my contentions; nothing else could be really expected from a man with your keenness and frankness. But what will you say to the noted philosophers of our university who, despite repeated invitations, still refuse to take a look either at the moon or the telescope and so close their eyes to the light of truth?” Galileo then described how another scientist refused to look through the telescope “because it would only confuse him” (p. 23-24).
Nothing shows better the greatness of a scholar’s character than his/her conduct in the face of failure.