Surfing, Diving, and Epistemological Pleasure

Abstract

In spite of widespread belief that we live in the era of immense scientific expansion, true science is much more uncommon than we would wish. It is especially true when it comes to medicine and medicine-related studies and practices. What is really common in these areas is not science, but scientific method. The difference is not apparent at the first sight, so let us use some examples for illustration. What characterizes true science is some kind of l'art pour l'art, ie, science for science’s sake. The main actuator of science defined in this way is curiosity and the main goal of this “true” or “pure” science is knowledge irrespective to its usefulness. Throughout history, mathematics and astronomy have been typical representatives of pure science, as most of mathematical discoveries did not produce many more rewards to their authors than compliments and envy from colleague mathematicians. Some discoveries did not produce any rewards – let us mention only one example: Galilei's troubles with the Roman Inquisition due to his stubbornness in defending the idea of heliocentricism. In other words, pure science is emancipated of purpose. This concept was originally formulated in the 11th century by one of the key figures in developing of scientific method, the Iraqi polymath Ibn al-Haytham (1): “Truth is sought for its own sake. And those who are engaged upon the quest for anything for its own sake are not interested in other things. Finding the truth is difficult, and the road to it is rough.”