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Letter| Volume 131, ISSUE 8, e341, August 2018

The Reply

      I appreciate very much Dr. Lawrence's cogent comments in response to my remarks on science.
      • Alpert JS
      Is science important? A recent lecture.
      I agree that science spelled with a small or a large ‘S’ has resulted in both positive and negative outcomes for human beings as pointed out in the current letter to the editor. I also agree wholeheartedly with Dr. Lawrence's further remarks concerning the heart and soul of the scientist or technologist. Western literature and film are replete with examples of the ‘evil scientist’—Dr. Frankenstein, Dr. Fu Manchu, and many others. The evil doctor is a forever favorite film personality. That having been said, the innovative and creative work of generations of physical and biological scientists far outweighs more pernicious productions such as explosives and poison gases. In my essay, I did not mean to portray science as a monarchy or a personality to be revered, but rather as a rational approach to understanding the world we live in and a means to improve the quality of our lives. The scientific method is a highly effective approach that helps us view and improve our lives. Thanks, Dr. Lawrence, for your letter and for reading The American Journal of Medicine.

      Reference

        • Alpert JS
        Is science important? A recent lecture.
        Am J Med. 2018; 131: 215