science and philosophy serve as the dynamometers for human spiritual energy

Categories: Comparisons

An example of metaphor in a scientist's writing

"Because science and philosophy represent the highest branches of mental activity, and serve as the dynamometers for human spiritual energy, it is clear why civilised nations exhibit noble pride in their philosophers, mathematicians, physicists, naturalists, and inventors…"

Santiago Ramón y Cajal (1999). Advice for a Young Investigator. The MIT Press. (Translation of 4th Spanish Edition, 1916)

The dynamometer used as a metaphor here. But scientists do not recognise a form of energy known as spiritual energy, so this seems to also be a metaphorical term,

Author: Keith

Former school and college science teacher, teacher educator, research supervisor, and research methods lecturer. Emeritus Professor of Science Education at the University of Cambridge.