Psychology and the Scientific Fallacy

Far more general than upon most subjects has been the agreement reached by competent thinkers that Science is essentially a method of investigation. Of course there have been, and there are today, a number of alternative investigatory methods olther than that of Science, just as there are entirely legitimate logics other than that of the syllogism. But Science today is by far the most publicized method in our world, and one concerning which not alone the unin-formed man in the street. but a great number of highly competent scientists also hold a singularly touching faith. This credulity has not sprung up iby reason of any mere perversity. It is a fact that scientific speculations have often unwittingly eventuated in the most practical results, some very beneficial and some equally destructive; and it is an even more impressive fact that scientific speculations have produced the same sort of practical application when they were deliberately prosecuted to that end. There are those who would rely upon this circumstance as the only justification required but they are not among the greatest scientists nor do they constitute anything like a majority.