Link to original video by TED

Laura Snyder: The Philosophical Breakfast Club

Summary of "Laura Snyder: The Philosophical Breakfast Club"

Short Summary:

This talk explores the origins of the modern scientist and the revolution that transformed the pursuit of knowledge in the 19th century. The speaker, Laura Snyder, focuses on a group of four Cambridge University scholars known as the "Philosophical Breakfast Club" who played a pivotal role in this transformation. They advocated for a new scientific method, promoted the public dissemination of scientific knowledge, and pushed for government funding of scientific research. Their efforts led to the creation of new scientific societies, the establishment of research grants, and the development of groundbreaking technologies like Babbage's Difference Engine, a precursor to modern computers. However, the speaker also highlights an unintended consequence of this revolution: the growing disconnect between science and the general public.

Detailed Summary:

Section 1: The Birth of the Word "Scientist"

• The talk begins with the story of the first public utterance of the word "scientist" in 1833.
• This event marked a shift in the perception of those who studied the natural world, from amateur enthusiasts to professionals with a specific methodology and purpose.
• The speaker emphasizes the contrast between the pre-1833 era of "natural philosophers" and the emergence of "scientists" as a distinct professional group.

Section 2: The Philosophical Breakfast Club

• The speaker introduces the four members of the Philosophical Breakfast Club: Charles Babbage, John Herschel, Richard Jones, and William Whewell.
• These men met regularly at Cambridge University between 1812 and 1813, discussing the need for a scientific revolution.
• They believed that science had stagnated since the 17th century and aimed to revitalize it.

Section 3: The Revolution in Scientific Method

• The Philosophical Breakfast Club advocated for the inductive scientific method, which starts with observations and experiments and leads to generalizations about nature.
• They argued against the use of deductive methods, which were gaining popularity in economics and being applied to other sciences.
• The speaker highlights the influence of Herschel's writings on Charles Darwin, who considered them a turning point in his scientific journey.

Section 4: The Public Dissemination of Knowledge

• The Philosophical Breakfast Club believed that scientific knowledge should be accessible to everyone, not just the elite.
• They promoted the publication of public tide tables and maps, making this vital information available to all ship captains.
• They also lobbied the British government for funding to build Babbage's Difference Engine, a mechanical calculator that could automate complex calculations.

Section 5: The Rise of Scientific Societies

• The Philosophical Breakfast Club played a key role in the formation of new scientific societies, such as the British Association for the Advancement of Science.
• These societies emphasized active research and publication, reinstated the tradition of Q&A sessions after scientific presentations, and encouraged the participation of women in science.

Section 6: The Funding of Scientific Research

• The Philosophical Breakfast Club advocated for the use of funds generated by scientific societies to provide research grants.
• This allowed less wealthy individuals to pursue scientific research and encouraged innovative thinking beyond pre-determined questions.

Section 7: The Unintended Consequence

• The speaker acknowledges the positive impact of the revolution initiated by the Philosophical Breakfast Club, but also highlights a negative consequence: the growing disconnect between science and the general public.
• This disconnect is evident in the low levels of scientific literacy among the general population.
• The speaker concludes by emphasizing the importance of making science accessible to everyone, echoing Darwin's belief in the value of popular scientific treatises.

Notable Quotes:

• "You must stop calling yourselves natural philosophers." - Samuel Taylor Coleridge
• "If 'philosophers' is taken to be too wide and lofty a term, then, by analogy with 'artist,' we may form 'scientist.'" - William Whewell
• "Scarcely anything in my life made so deep an impression on me. It made me wish to add my might to the accumulated store of natural knowledge." - Charles Darwin (referring to Herschel's writings)
• "I sometimes think that general and popular treatises are almost as important for the progress of science as original work." - Charles Darwin