THE VALUE OF SCIENCE 279 



THE VALUE OF SCIENCE 



By M. H. POINCARE 



MEMBER OF THE INSTITUTE OF FRANCE 



Chapter VI. Astronomy. 



/"^ OVEENMENTS and parliaments must find that astronomy is 

 ^-* one of the sciences which cost most dear: the least instrument 

 costs hundreds of thousands of dollars, the least observatory costs 

 millions; each eclipse carries with it supplementary appropriations. 

 And all that for stars which are so far away, which are complete 

 strangers to our electoral contests, and in all probability will never 

 take any part in them. It must be that our politicians have retained 

 a remnant of idealism, a vague instinct for what is grand; truly, I 

 think they have been calumniated; they should be encouraged and 

 shown that this instinct does not deceive them, that they are not 

 dupes of that idealism. 



We might indeed speak to them of navigation, of which no one 

 can underestimate the importance, and which has need of astronomy. 

 But this would be to take the question by its smaller side. 



Astronomy is useful because it raises us above ourselves; it is 

 useful because it is grand; that is what we should say. It shows 

 us how small is man's body, how great his mind, since his intelli- 

 gence can embrace the whole of this dazzling immensity, where his 

 body is only an obscure point, and enjoy its silent harmony. Thus 

 we attain the consciousness of our power, and this is something which 

 can not cost too dear, since this consciousness makes us mightier. 



But what I should wish before all to show is, to what point as- 

 tronomy has facilitated the work of the other sciences, more directly 

 useful, since it has given us a soul capable of comprehending nature. 



Think how diminished humanity would be if, under heavens con- 

 stantly overclouded, as Jupiter's must be, it had forever remained 

 ignorant of the stars. Do you think that in such a world we should 

 be what we are? I know well that under this somber vault we should 

 have been deprived of the light of the sun, necessary to organisms 

 like those which inhabit the earth. But if you please, we shall as- 

 sume that these clouds are phosphorescent and emit a soft and con- 

 stant light. Since we are making hypotheses, another will cost no 

 more. Well ! I repeat my question : Do you think that in such a 

 world we should be what we are ? 



