HISTORY OF SCIENCE 49 



have compared the scientific achievements of mankind with the 

 collective work that the bees accomplish in their hives. This com- 

 parison is particularly apposite to the scientists who have special- 

 ized to excess and work diligently in their own narrow field, ignor- 

 ing the rest of the world. Such men are doubtless necessary, as are 

 the bees that provide honey. But their endeavors could never give 

 birth to a systematic knowledge, to a science proper. It is the more 

 necessary that other scientists raise themselves above the artificial 

 partitions of the different specialties. Their investigations irresist- 

 ibly lead them to the study of history, and they obtain from it a 

 deeper apprehension of their own collaboration in the grand 

 undertakings of mankind. Just as one experiences gratification in 

 knowing where one is and why, similarly it gives them pleasure 

 to locate their own task in the world's work and to grasp better its 

 relative import. And also, they understand, better than others 

 do, the significance of the thousand and one ties that connect 

 them to their fellowmen — and the power of human solidarity, 

 without which there would be no science. 



THE PEDAGOGIC POINT OF VIEW 



Science is generally taught in a much too synthetical way.* 

 It may be that this method is indeed the best for the average 

 student who passively accepts the master's authority. But those 

 whose philosophical mind is more awake can hardly be satisfied 

 by this food, the preparation of which is unknown to them. In- 

 stead of being assuaged by harmonious order and perfect science, 

 they are devoured by doubt and anxiety : Why does the master 

 teach us so? Why has he chosen those definitions? Why?" Not 

 that they are loath to use synthetical methods; on the contrary, 

 these young men will probably be the first to admire the depth 

 and elegance of such teaching once they have grasped from their 

 own experience its logical appositeness, its generality and its 



* My experience refers especially to the European continent and to the teaching of the 

 physical and mathematical sciences. 



