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Scientific moments of truth
* 19 November 2005
* NewScientist.com news service
* Alan Lightman
Subscription required
1 The Accident,
in which the scientists discover something they were not looking for. This category breaks down into (a) discoveries whose significance the scientists did not understand at the time, and (b) discoveries whose significance was immediately appreciated.
2 Principles First,
in which the scientist begins with a philosophical principle and explores the consequences of that principle, sometimes initially unaware of the precise problem to be solved.
3 Principles Last,
in which the scientist engages in concentrated work to explain a particular experimental result and ultimately recognises that a new fundamental theoretical idea is required.
4 The Timely Clue,
in which the scientist is confronted with an important clue while struggling with a recognised problem.
5 Analogy,
in which the scientist applies a concept or pattern from a previous problem
6 The Mathematical Imperative,
in which a theoretical scientist, in exploring the mathematical world, is led to a discovery about the physical world.
7 New Tools,
in which the availability of new instruments or new theories opens up opportunities for discovery. On the experimental side, this category might be further divided into (a) an inspired idea of how to use a new technology and (b) privileged access to new technology.
8 The Long Haul,
in which steady, incremental work on a recognised problem over a long period of time leads to discovery.
* 19 November 2005
* NewScientist.com news service
* Alan Lightman
Subscription required
1 The Accident,
in which the scientists discover something they were not looking for. This category breaks down into (a) discoveries whose significance the scientists did not understand at the time, and (b) discoveries whose significance was immediately appreciated.
2 Principles First,
in which the scientist begins with a philosophical principle and explores the consequences of that principle, sometimes initially unaware of the precise problem to be solved.
3 Principles Last,
in which the scientist engages in concentrated work to explain a particular experimental result and ultimately recognises that a new fundamental theoretical idea is required.
4 The Timely Clue,
in which the scientist is confronted with an important clue while struggling with a recognised problem.
5 Analogy,
in which the scientist applies a concept or pattern from a previous problem
6 The Mathematical Imperative,
in which a theoretical scientist, in exploring the mathematical world, is led to a discovery about the physical world.
7 New Tools,
in which the availability of new instruments or new theories opens up opportunities for discovery. On the experimental side, this category might be further divided into (a) an inspired idea of how to use a new technology and (b) privileged access to new technology.
8 The Long Haul,
in which steady, incremental work on a recognised problem over a long period of time leads to discovery.