24 Chapter 2

Thinking about science, Goethe once said, «To one man it is the highest thing, a heavenly goddess; to another it is a productive and proficient cow who supplies them with butter.» The results of science and the motives for doing it are diverse.

Curiosity is the most powerful motivation for research professionals — and for many amateurs, too. Science clarifies, explains and occasionally predicts. Understanding a piece of universe can bring satisfaction and excitement to anyone.

Science serves the missions of improving health, national security, energy, the environment and communications, it creates new products, meets the demands of emerging markets and satisfies social needs. But even strong "faith in science may crack in straitened circumstances.

When it comes to future justification for curiosity-driven and mission-oriented research, we encounter three related undertakings.

First, we have to rethink the case from inside the scientific community. Government, businesses and universities must demonstrate that investments in science are the 'only way of fulfilling long-range goals. Research executives will have to document the ample returns from past investments and then outline future paths. Setting priorities will not be easy, and ,stern management to ensure excellence will be essential.

Second, we should broaden the dialogue. Society must be engaged in continuing exchange about national goals and research priorities. The press, industry, nonprofit organizations must participate.

Finally, we must expand the accessibility of knowledge.

The entire professional community must pay more attention to building a scientifically literate society. Support for science, and for the benefits of technology, increases with educational level.

To be successful in the twenty-first century, we need more science, not less.

result — something that happens because of an action or event. Synonym: outcome; укр. результат, наслідок

diverse — different (from each other), showing variety укр. різноманітний

motivation — need or purpose. Synonyms: incentive, stimulus, motive укр. стимул, мотивація

occasionally — укр. час від часу, інколи

to satisfy — to give enough for укр. задовольняти

to improve — to make better укр. поліпшувати

to emerge — to come or appear from inside or from being hidden укр. з'являтися, виявлятися

faith — firm belief, trust, complete confidence укр. вipa

straitened circumstances — difficult because lacking money. Synonym: money is short укр. фінансова скрута

to encounter — to meet or have to deal with (esp. Something difficult) Synonym: to be faced with укр. стикатися

related — connected in some way укр. суміжний, пов'язаний

undertaking — a job, a piece of work or anything needing effort укр. нелегка справа

community — a group of people living together and/or united by shared aims and interests укр. спільнота

long-range — covering a long distance or time укр. довгостроковий

ample — enough or more than enough укр. достатній

stern — firm, strict, severe укр. суворий

essential (to, for) — completely necessary for the existence, success of something. Synonyms: most important, notable, fundamental. Also: indispensable — too important or too useful to do without укр. нагально необхідний, суттєвий, дуже важливий

to expand — to increase in size, number, volume, degree; to grow larger, to broaden укр. збільшувати, розширяти

accessible — easy to reach, enter or obtain. Synonym: obtainable укр. доступний

accessibility — доступність

access — доступ

benefit — anything that brings help, advantage or profit укр. перевага, користь

NOTE

переваги

недоліки

advantage(s)

merit(s)

plus(es)

disadvantage(s)

demerit(s)

minus(es)

weakness (es)

shortcoming(s)

limitation(s)

pitfall(s)

Sample answer: Why support science? For hundreds of years one justification has been that research fulfills a passionate human quest for knowledge. But these days curiosity is not enough. Most people support science and think research leads to practical benefits: economic growth, better health, labor saving devices. The challenge is to integrate the drive for knowledge with the delivery of useful outputs.

vulnerable — weak, not well protected, sensitive, easily harmed укр. уразливий

quest — a long search, an attempt to find something