Why does the Foundation concentrate its support on basic rather than applied research? Basic research is the very heart of science, and its cumulative product is the capital of scientific progress, a capital that must be constantly increased as the demands upon it rise. The goal of basic research is understanding for its own sake. Understanding of the structure of the atom or the nerve cell, the explosion of a spiral nebula (螺旋星) or the distribution of cosmic dust, the causes of earthquakes and droughts, or of man as a behaving creature and of the social forces that are created whenever two of more human beings come into contact with one another—the scope is staggering, but the commitment to truth is the same. If the commitment were to a particular result, conflicting evidence might be overlooked or, with the best will in the world, simply not appreciated. Moreover, the practical applications of basic research frequently cannot be anticipated. When Roentgen, the physicist, discovered Xrays,he had no idea of their usefulness to medicine.
Applied research, undertaken to solve specific practical problems, has an immediate attractiveness because the results can be seen and enjoyed. For practical reasons, the sums spent on applied research in any country always far exceed those for basic research, and the proportions are more unequal in the less developed countries. Leaving aside the funds devoted to research by industry—which is naturally far more concerned with applied aspects because these profits quickly—the funds the U. S. Government allots to basic research currently amount to about seven percent of its overall research and developments funds. Unless adequate safeguards are provided, applied research invariably tends to drive out basic. Then, so Dr. Waterman has pointed out, development will inevitably be undertaken prematurely (过早的), career incentives will gravitate strongly toward applied science, and the opportunities for making major scientific discoveries will be lost. Unfortunately, pressures to emphasize new developments, without corresponding emphasis upon pure science. Tend to degrade the quality of the nation's technology in the long run, rather than to improve it.
1. X-rays used in medical researches belong to the scope of basic research.
A. Right
B. Wrong
C. Not mentioned
2. Industry is primarily concerned with applied researches because it can bring immediate profits.
A. Right
B. Wrong
C. Not mentioned
3. The United States Government currently concentrates its support on applied rather than on basic research.
A. Right
B. Wrong
C. Not mentioned
4. The Foundation devotes most of its funds to applied research.
A. Right
B. Wrong
C. Not mentioned
5. When Roentgen discovered X-rays he didn't mean to use them in medical researches.
A. Right
B. Wrong
C. Not mentioned
6. Dr. Waterman is a strong advocate of applied research.
A. Right
B. Wrong
C. Not mentioned
7. Many scientists think basic research is more important than applied research.
A. Right
B. Wrong
C. Not mentioned
参考答案
1. B 2. A 3. A4. B5. A 6. B 7. C
