HISTORY OF SCIENCE INSTITUTE 173 



history of medicine, medical deontology, and even social medicine. 



It has been claimed that science is not concerned with moral 

 issues. That may be true, yet scientists are members of the com- 

 munity and their aloofness is seldom excusable. 



Some historians of science should be as well acquainted as pos- 

 sible with the history of religions, of ethics, and of social endeavors 

 of every kind. It would be their special duty to harmonize the re- 

 sults of their inquiries with those concerning the history of 

 science, and to help explain each in terms of the others. 



Unification of good will — An Institute devoted, as this one, to 

 the study of the most precious common good of mankind might 

 be considered a clearing house of good will, irrespective of its 

 origin. Its highest function would be to interpret, primarily but 

 not exclusively in scientific terms, the development of culture; not 

 the culture of any nation, race, faith, or profession but the culture 

 of mankind. Indeed the ideals of humanity transcend immeasur- 

 ably those of any group. 



Defense of the scientific spirit and method — One of these uni- 

 versal ideals is the love of truth, and the disinterested search for 

 it, irrespective of desires and consequences. The history of science 

 is to a large extent a history of the liberation of thought, of the 

 conflict between rationalism and superstition (not religion), of 

 man's quest for truth and gradual approach to it, of his struggle 

 against error and unreason. 



Iconography — A department should be devoted to the collec- 

 tion of iconographic documents (e.g., portraits, medals) per- 

 tinent to the general purpose. This field of study would connect 

 the Institute with art museums; in addition to the realization of 

 a practical aim it would introduce a new point of view and a new 

 form of humanism. 



Physical organization — Details of organization need not be 

 examined before the value of the Institute is understood and its 

 general principles accepted, but a few generalities may help to 

 complete this outline. 



The ideal location of the Institute would be inside a large 



