SECTION I 

 INTRODUCTION 



CHAPTER 1 

 INTRODUCTION 



Our modern civilization has resulted from the concurrent develop- 

 ment of many different factors. Of these, probably none has produced 

 more drastic changes than has science. Science, with its numerous 

 applications, plays a role in nearly every phase of our life : our complex 

 communication systems, our freedom of movement, and, among many 

 others, probably the most important of all, our general well-being. All 

 these have been made possible by scientific discoveries. 



The development of science and its applications is one of the 

 principal factors that distinguishes our civilization from all others. As 

 more individuals are engaged in scientific work now than ever before, 

 more discoveries are constantly being made. With many of these new 

 discoveries, new horizons open, and there are those who believe that 

 the future of science is without limit. 



It is no accident that this tremendous force for human development 

 has occurred in our particular culture, for such a phenomenon is pos- 

 sible only in a civiHzation where the individual is considered to be 

 important. Thus the philosophy upon which our religion and govern- 

 ment have been based has provided the background essential for 

 scientific growth. Only in an atmosphere of freedom is man able to 

 pursue the diverse paths along which his curiosity may lead him. In 

 such a way, discoveries are made, most of which are small and seem- 

 ingly unimportant. In total, however, they contribute to the great 

 scientific discoveries upon which progress is based. 



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