Science in Public Affairs 



a question of time for the new knowledge to win 

 its place in the customary training of all young 

 people. Speaking generally, natural science has 

 made a far-reaching change in the course of 

 studies in English schools. 1 In some cases, in- 

 deed, its claims have been pushed so hard as 

 to defeat the purpose of scientific education by 

 depriving the pupils of their necessary training 

 in other subjects and especially in the power of 

 expression in their own language. But this error 

 is now realised and educational authorities are 

 correcting the balance of studies. What is most 

 to be aimed at is not the premature accumulation 

 of scientific knowledge, but the cultivation of an 

 attitude of mind which is interested in the study 

 of nature ; and the training of the habit of accurate 

 observation and of the power of investigating the 

 relation between cause and effect. It is generally 

 agreed that Burke was right when he said that 

 11 the method of teaching which approaches most 

 nearly to the method of investigation is incom- 

 parably the best, since, not content with serving 

 up a few barren and lifeless truths, it leads to 



1 In every English secondary school receiving grants from 

 Government, science must be taught (not less than seven hours 

 a week being given to science and mathematics, of which at 

 least two must be science). The course in science must pro- 

 vide for practical work by the scholars. In every English 

 public elementary school, observation lessons and nature study 

 must be taught, with special reference to the surroundings of 

 the scholars and to the natural features, industries and plant 

 life of the locality, with a view of forming the habit of intelligent 

 and accurate observation. 



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