Science & Mathematics
Essays by speakers in science or mathematics.
Abū Shādī, Aḥmad Zakī, 1892-1955
Egyptian-born poet and bacteriologist Ahmad Zaki Abu Shadi describes his belief in freedom and justice, first developed through books, and then strengthened through his own life experiences that caused him to leave Egypt and ultimately move to the United States.
Listen to the essay
Bronowski, Jacob, 1908-1974
Polish-born biologist and dramatist Jacob Bronowski describes his simultaneous introduction to mathematics and the English language, his love that developed for both subjects, and his belief in using one’s mind to find truth.
Listen to the essay
Cori, Gerty T. (Gerty Theresa), 1896-1957
Czech-born biochemist Gerty Cori describes the advantages of immigrating to America, and her beliefs in modern science and the progress of humanity.
Listen to the essay
Dale, Henry H. (Henry Hallett), 1875-1968
British pharmacologist and physiologist Henry Dale describes his belief in the “supreme value of truth” and the need for science to join forces with religion to help explain both material reality and our immaterial feelings of free will and a moral purpose in life.
Listen to the essay
Darwin, Charles Galton, Sir, 1887-1962
Physicist Charles G. Darwin describes his belief that human nature (as it stands) will lead to a decline in social conditions, unless society focuses on the science of heredity.
Listen to the essay
DuBridge, Lee A. (Lee Alvin), 1901-1994
Lee DuBridge, physicist and President of California Institute of Technology, describes his beliefs in science, both what can be understood now, and what will be explained as civilization progresses toward the future.
Listen to the essay
Forbes, Alexander, 1882-1965
Dr. Alexander Forbes, Professor Emeritus of Physiology at Harvard University, explains why science and religion are compatible; how science cannot understand everything in the universe; and the need for people and nations to begin cooperating rather than competing.
Listen to the essay
Gerard, R. W. (Ralph Waldo), 1900-1974
Physiologist Ralph Waldo Gerard describes his belief in the power of truth to free men from disease, prejudice, and other ills.
Listen to the essay
Hoagland, Hudson, 1899-1982
Physiologist Hudson Hoagland describes the importance of science and democracy and how they work together.
Listen to the essay
Hoyle, Fred, Sir
British mathematician Fred Hoyle describes his belief that morality is merely a matter of what outcomes will benefit a nation, and that, since conflict happens when nations outgrow their resources, we should address the issue of overpopulation in England and America.
Listen to the essay
Knudsen, Vern Oliver, 1893-1974
Acoustical physicist and educator Vern Knudsen uses his work in acoustics and science as the basis for his belief in the importance of honesty, truth, and integrity for living a good, happy life, and also provides an example from the field of acoustics to demonstrate his point.
Listen to the essay
Lerew, Gillie A., 1882-1977
Mathematician and educator Gillie Lerew explains that a deeper understanding of science has given her a deeper sense of faith, a faith based in Christianity and a confidence in the human spirit.
Listen to the essay
McGaha, Charles P.
Banker and petroleum geologist Charles McGaha describes his belief that he is responsible to help make the world a better place, and explains how his belief that circumstances can impact a person’s outcome in life gives him more tolerance of others.
Listen to the essay
Penfield, Wilder, 1891-1976
U.S.-born Wilder Penfield, Professor of Neurology at McGill University, describes his feeling of purpose and destiny when his boat was torpedoed during World War I and the relationship between science and religion.
Listen to the essay
Sabine, Paul Earls, 1879-1958
Sound engineer and physicist Paul Sabine describes how his early beliefs were fractured into those about physical realities and those about spiritual realities, but now he believes modern physics has given him the framework to harmonize his beliefs into a coherent whole.
Listen to the essay
Wiener, Norbert, 1894-1964
Mathematician and scientist Norbert Wiener describes his beliefs in the discipline and freedom to seek truth, in the importance of recognizing the dignity of human beings, in the difficulty of adhering to any religion, and in the role of errors during the process of discovering truth.
Listen to the essay
Wilcox, Walter F.
Statistician Walter Wilcox describes his belief that the world has steadily gotten better during his lifetime, and his belief that individuals must create order out of the personal chaos in which they find themselves, with truth and freedom necessary components of this task.|
Listen to the essay
Williams, Clyde, 1873-1954
Clyde Williams, Director of the Battelle Institute, describes his belief that happiness comes through accomplishing the work one is meant to do, and relates how his work at the Battelle Institute has helped him to find satisfaction in life.
Listen to the essay
Worthington, E. Barton (Edgar Barton), 1905-
Dr. Edgar Worthington, Secretary General of the Scientific Council of Africa, describes his belief in the mutability of beliefs and how his personal beliefs evolved out of traditional religious dogma into a wider appreciation for nature and beauty and principles irrespective of doctrine. He also describes his perspective of Africa as an European immigrant to the country.
Listen to the essay