《American Prometheus》第六章 美国的普罗米修斯

When confronted with a request for financial assistance from one of his graduate students for a specific project, Oppies response was not as straightforward as one might expect. Instead, he chose to approach the matter whimsically, implying that research, much like marriage and poetry, should actually be discouraged. In his eyes, it seemed that the pursuit of knowledge and the creative process carried with them a certain level of disagreement and discord.

By comparing research to marriage and poetry, two deeply personal and often tumultuous endeavors, Oppie suggested that the inherent challenges and obstacles faced in these realms were not to be undermined or taken lightly. Just as marriages often come with disagreements and conflicts, and poetry is born out of the struggle to express complex emotions and experiences, research, too, should not come without its fair share of disagreement.

Oppies unconventional response shed light on his belief that research worth pursuing should only arise despite the disagreements and obstacles that might come its way. He seemed to imply that a project that didnt face adversity or challenge may lack the depth and substance needed for authentic exploration and discovery.

This perspective challenges the commonly held notion that research should always be encouraged and supported without question. Instead, Oppie advocated for a more nuanced approach, acknowledging that the path to true discovery is not always smooth and straightforward. He recognized that the struggle and hardship inherent in research can often be the key to unlocking groundbreaking insights and innovation.

In this brief reply, Oppie raised profound questions about the nature of research and its value. He reminded his graduate student that, like marriage and poetry, research is not meant to be easy, but rather is a journey of perseverance and resilience. By provoking this thoughtful reflection, Oppie reminded us that true depth and significance often lie beneath the surface, waiting to be uncovered through the trials and tribulations of the research process.