Replies

Science can tell us how to get into Space, but not why we would want to go there, or what to do when we get there. That would take some sort of cosmic manifest destiny philosophy.

Or the very human desire to see what is over the next mountain...

Yes, but “thar be gold in them thar hills” is usually a better inducement to such a substantial undertaking than pure curiosity. Thank goodness for human curiosity though, it is the bread and butter of Science.

Here is one of my favorite quotes about the true “value” of Science by a great man, a great American, the Scientist/Cowboy Robert R. Wilson talking in front of the U.S. Senate.

in testimony before the Congressional Joint Committee on Atomic Energy, 17 April 1969.

Senator Pastore: Is there anything connected with the hopes of this accelerator that in any way involves the security of the country?
Robert Wilson: No sir, I don’t believe so.
Pastore: Nothing at all?
Wilson: Nothing at all.
Pastore: It has no value in that respect?
Wilson: It has only to do with the respect with which we regard one another, the dignity of men, our love of culture. It has to do with are we good painters, good sculptors, great poets? I mean all the things we really venerate in our country and are patriotic about. It has nothing to do directly with defending our country except to make it worth defending.