THE SUPPORT OF BASIC RESEARCH 



toward increase of knowledge in science. It is research where 

 the primary aim of the investigator is a fuller knowledge or 

 understanding of the subject under study, rather than a prac- 

 tical application thereof." Another definition, discussed in some 

 detail by the participants, also used the scientist's motivation as 

 its criterion: "Basic research is the never-ending search for 

 better understanding of man himself and of the total world, 

 animate and inanimate, in which he lives. The drive which 

 stimulates basic research is man's insatiable curiosity concern- 

 ing the unknown, and the intellectual and aesthetic satisfac- 

 tion that comes from understanding." 



Another proposed definition included both motivation and 

 results: "The 'basic' classification is adopted where it is thought 

 that the immediate purpose or result is to contribute to the sum 

 of scientific knowledge, whereas the 'applied' classification is 

 adopted where it is thought that the immediate purpose or 

 result is to forward some contemplated line of action." 



None of these and no other proposed definition survived 

 the criticism of the symposium participants. Yet inability to 

 agree on a precise definition does not interfere with communica- 

 tion. For it is only at the boundaries that there is confusion; 

 except at the boundary between basic and applied research 

 it is generally quite clear which of the two is meant. 



There were two opposed reactions to the whole attempt 

 at definition. One group thought the effort to agree upon a 

 precise definition would be very difficult but thoroughly worth 

 while. The other group thought the effort not worth while. The 

 latter point of view prevailed. 



One participant proposed a clarifying geographical anal- 

 ogy. Everyone knows in a general way the location of the Mid- 

 west and the Far West, but no one can locate an exact dividing 

 line between these regions. A biologist offered another analogy. 

 It is usually easy' to tell the difference between a plant and an 



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