OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PERTH,
ESTABLISHED 1874. 'PHONE B6950
Registered at the G.P.O., Perth, for transmission by post as a newspaper. NO. 2,250.
Wanted*
PERTH, WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER 25, 1946.
450 Hay Street,
PRICE THREEPENCE
Perth,
Box A35, G.P.O., Perth.
SEVENTY-THIRD YEAR
Increasing Numbers of Catholic Scientists
Integrating Philosophy with Scientific Research
Materialism Has Made it a Weapon Against Religion
higher mathematics because they were really interested in this field. In fact, last term when I expected about fifteen students in my differential-equations section, more the than forty signed up for selected Many others course. courses in higher algebra and advanced calculus. These men are capable and industrious, and many They see of them are Catholics. the possibility of a future in the ever -widening field of physical
science. Wherever it is possible, offering The writer of this article is an There is a general impression to outAmerican, and his remarks apply that Catholic education is con- fellowships in the sciences to conditions in the United States. cerned exclusively with the liberal standing students is a far more of way Some of his suggestions, however, arts and philosophy, and that sci- practical and effective and his general thesis, should re- ence is patronised and dabbled in launching scientific careerson than the commend themselves to our Ca- only to the extent of a few "gen- mere urging and a pat tholic school system in Australia. tlemen's courses." It is conced- back. I should like Before costinuing, -Ed.) ed that the training is an excelchemlent preparation for medicine, law, to mention somethingI about am not a teaching and life in general, but istry, even though of true that many This chemist. It is useless for the scientist. By VINCENT 0. McBRIEN. would be a most unfortunate situ- our small Catholic colleges have chemistry departments. HowProbably no scientific discovery ation if it were true, since the fine of ever, the emphasis in most in the history of mankind has future scientist needs a thorough these colleges is an organic chemever aroused so much discussion grounding in advanced Catholi. istry, probably because of the need as the development of the atomic thought and in philosophy avd theology as much as, if not more to prepare young men to be docbomb. Our graduates obtain exthe student preparing for tors. 4. There should be an even furImmediately following the an- than cellent preparation for medical know the field thoroughly. Wellany other career. Furthermore, mathematics, be ther emphasis on nouncement that a way had been if Ca- ttained undergraduates will school, we need and, of course, it were true, it would be a sharp tholic doctors. But at the same welcomed faculties of Am- physics and chemistry in our Cafound to release atomic energy, of departure from the traditions The tholic high schools. Capable stuthe outpouring of articles and time we cannot neglect the im- erican graduate schools. speeches began. Americans found Catholic learning and pedagogy, portant field of physical chemis- number of scholarships and fellow- dents should not be allowed to a rosout that the development of the which for centuries has had try, which requires that the un- ships in the field of mathematics, lose interest because of sub-standstudents in bomb was not a mere accident, ter of illustrious names in maths dergraduate gain a thorough back- physics and chemistry will be in- ard courses. Catholic be biol/reties, astronomy, physics, urged to Already plans public schools should but another step in the history ogy and chemistry. If Catholic ground in mathematics and phy- creased greatly. expanding attend Catholic colleges-no matare being made for of modern physics which could era scientific sics. The present and universities stressed be traced back to the theory of colleges for graduate work in the physical sci- ter in what field they are chooshas countless opportunities Can we not send more of ing a career. atomic structure enunciated by and fostered science in its in in. men who wish to do further work ences. its fancy now, and youth, surely 5. Catholic laymen everywhere Air Catholic college graduates to Planck, Bohr, Einstein, and the in physical chemistry. We in the United States should seek study further in their field? other twentieth-century physic- full prime, they should not lag beHandicaps. Present hind. To obviate impresthis send great numbers to law schools, the aid of eminent Catholic sciists. Americans learned many Now let us view the situation medical schools and to schools of entists to arouse interest in the other things. They learned that sion, our colleges should, if necesfrom the standpoint of future pros- social science. pubsary, enlarge, emphasise and We must not physical sciences. There are many there are possibilities for using licise pects. their scientific facilities. neglect to stimulate interest in a university professors in American atomic energy for the welfare of there is a field that is so important. There graduate schools who are anxious First and foremost, primarily First of all, students They learned that all mankind. great shortage of teachers in the must be a greater number of Ca- to see Catholic young men and the future unheard-of interested in science should be in- physical sciences. holds Due to the tholics studying in this field which women come to them. There are many Cadreams for the benefit of all peo- formed that there are offer war, there has been a shortage of is gaining such prominence. comtholic colleges which Ca- some well-known Catholic scientples. They learned that men enSec- trained teachers in all colleges, tholics are not afraid of the future. ists in industry. They can tell gaged in research in the physical plete engineering courses. and almost any dean would have Catholics know they need not fear you our failings and opportunities that should ond, they be informed influsciences exert a tremendous a for exchange given in anything a stuin our liberal -arts colleges The Basic Problem. the truth, for "it is the truth that ence on human lives. dent may take up just as much good physics professor. It is lit- makes men free.' Now that we are going back to Taking stock mathematics or physics or chem- tle wonder that many teachers programmes and schepeacetime During he next few years there These amazing developments in istry as a student at an engineer- left our Catholic colleges Often dules in our colleges, we have a the field of atomic physics bring ing college. Of course, an engi- they were underpaid, their facili- will be an acute shortage of men great opportunity. If our Cathoup a question which is important neering degree is not granted, but ties were inadequate and their trained in the physical sciences. lic colleges let our science courses to every Catholic interested in the the student graduates with the de- classes were so small that they felt Many promising young men have drop back into the realm of "wareducation of Catholic young men gree in whatever science he takes impelled to desert the teaching lost their lives in the struggle for time emergencies," we shall soon and women. The question is this: up. The great advantage in being field to devote their abilities else- freedom; many others have miss find out our mistake. Our able Since the physical sciences are able to live in a truly Catholic at- where in the war effort. Unless ed the chance of entering this im- Catholic philosophers quickly silgaining great importance in ow mosphere, taking up the study of our Catholic colleges come to rea- portant field. Years of previous enced the myth of a conflict bework lost a young when may be daily lives, are we preparing a his religion and sound Scholastic lise the great need for educating tween religion and science. Let proportionate share of Catholic philosophy while preparing for future scientists, many former pro - man breaks contact with his stu- us then go on and train enough The Church cannot afford students for leadership in this life in his particular field, is sure- lessors will stay on other jobs. dies. scientists inCatholic so that their great field of human endeavour? ly of more importance than takThe religious orders and socie- to lose a single prospective Catho- fluence will be felt in every corWithout compiling statistics, I ing two or three extra courses in ties of the Church are sending in- lic scientist. to of the globe. It is well ner am positive that every informed laboratory methods. Everyone knows that it is both heed the adage "scientia non est This rea- creasing numbers of their inemCatholic educator would answer soning should be a sounding-board bers to graduate schools for ad- easy and idle to complain. The sapientia" ("knowledge is not wia. with a very firm "No." It is for all Catholic college alumni in vanced study in the physical sci- Catholic wants an answer to the dom") but if we are truly wise true that some of our large Catho- appealing to our high-school grad- ences. Yet, we need more religi- problem. There are many wlyF we shall take heed of one of the lic universities do provide excel- uates. The number of Catholic ous and more laymen. What are 'n which we can increase the n greatest needs in Catholic educelent training for the young men parents who send their sons to we going to do about it? ber of Catholic men and women tion. and women who are interested in r on -Catholic because Second, our colleges need to working in the field of physical colleges The problem is not a mere ques mathematics, physics, or chemis- "Jimmy wants to be an engi- take a long and critical look at science. Among these are: tion of academic balance or of try. They have top -rate teachers neer" is appalling. the curriculum colered to students 1. 'Our Catholic colleges shoull ,pecial pleading for one branch of and excellent equipment, and durOf make eve.v effort to obtain teach- knowledge over another. the physical sciences. Nor is 2. Some students, gifted in the in ing the war they helped the Calla own teacher has his course, every who are capable and well tr.i'n- this a plea for a departure from ers are not encourof peace by doing war research. physical sciences, "special courses:" but I believe cd in the field. the basic ideal of Catholic educaHowever, it seems that the situa- aged sufficiently to continue in that teachers of the physical scicomplete 2. Our CAUL', colleges should tion-the rounded and Many college freshtion is far less favourable in other this field. their dein modest programme development .of the whole man bevery the are that ences make sure Catholic colleges. Why only a men who formerly "hated mathe- mands. Rather it is They know that when offered their students will be well fore specialisation. really matics" that they discover handful of students are taking the student enters graduate school grounded and thorough enough so an attempt to call attention to the courses in the physical sciences in enjoy the course and do v -ry well, or industry it is the basic founda- that graduates will be able to en- comparative dearth of young Camany of our Catholic colleges is Such students should be urged to tion which counts. It is imposgraduate school or industry tholic graduates entering the field not an easy question to answer; continue. Surely, the science de- sible to get a decent foundation if ter confident that they have the very of science-which is to-day the hut let us consider some of the partments in our college lose toe most vital and progressive of all a student does not have his pro- best background. points which might lead to au many students by transfers tois gramme well arranged. A stuto 3. Interest in the field of science secular human activity-and every outstanding student who answer. interested in the physical sciences. dent taking a course in modern should be encouraged by Catholic raise the question whether air 1. Catholic students interested It is well known to those teachers physics is wasting his time if he parents. Furthermore, it is about colleges are giving scientific stuin engineering or the physical sci- who were engaged in Army and has not had calculus beforehand. time that Catholic parents inves- dies the importance and emphasis attend non-Catholic colleges Navy programmes that many a Furthermore. we cannot be satis- tigated what a Catholic college they deserve in our modern world. ences You Different centuries have different in great numbers. Catholic col- Young man discovered that cal - fied with anything but the best offers for future scientists. cannot train a Catholic scientist needs, and Catholic education, in lege teachers of the sciences know cults was not a mysterious sub- courses in the basic sciences. not come to a Catholic its secular branches, must be elasif he does this only too well. Ail of them ject which could be mastered by What to Do? If we are going to train Catho- college where he can study his re- tic enough to meet those contem are anxious to see our high-school only a few "queer" students. I graduates, gifted in science, enter have seen young men in the Navy lic scientists who will exert an in- ligion and philosophy along with porary needs without neglecting (Continued on Page 12.) V-12 programme elect courses in fluence, it is imperative that they his mathematics and physics. a Catholic college.