ABSTRACT
It is difficult to trace a complete and authoritative statement of the argument used in support of the State control of science; but I believe that in its most precise form it would run as follows. “No scientific statement is absolutely valid, for there are always some underlying assumptions present, the acceptance of which represents an arbitrary act of faith. Arbitrariness prevails once more when scientists choose to pursue research in any one direction rather than another. Since the contents of science and the progress of science both vitally concern the community as a whole, it is wrong to allow decisions affecting science to be taken by private individuals. Decisions such as these should be reserved to the public authorities who are responsible for the public good; whence it follows that both the teaching of science and the conduct of research must be controlled by the State.”
