As Aristotle alluded to, as is spoken of in "Nicomachean Ethics," when science and the arts are made subordinate to another aim such as military or money, it fundamentally alters them and changes their results and nature, moving from healthy diversity of discovery to a funnelled narrow view. Yet the sciences and the arts are born out of a feeling of goodness, "The good is that at which all things aim."
Mav watched the news. There'd been a new scientific breakthrough, this little gizmo that cost less that a packet of chips was a water purifier. They were going right into production to be sent to developing nations. Mav grinned wide. "Hey, Mom, did you hear that?"
"Yeah, Mav, thank God, eh?" Mav raised a critical eyebrow.
"God? Didn't see him a white coat at three am working until his mind shut down from fatigue. Bet those brilliant egg heads did!" Now it was Mom's turn to frown.
"I never meant that, Mav. Of course the scientists are the heroes here, all I meant is that they're doing God's work. What do you want me to say?" Mav rolled his eyes, she sure had a funny way of seeing things.
"Maybe, thanks Science? You don't read a great book and say, 'Wow, thank God for that novel,' you say the author kicked ass." Mom almost laughed.
"Sure, son, next time I'll say 'Wow, those scientists are amazing." Mav shook his head, but he was grinning too. One day he'd be a scientist, and he'd make Mom proud.
Heidi sits on the edge of her plastic chair, this is science class, her chance to shine. The other kids seem to come alive in art class, amongst the pastels and fine charcoal pencils, but for her the sight of the laboratory was the heaven she craved. Art was amazing, art was beautiful, but not when drawn by her hand. By her hand it was like a three year old with a broken arm was given a crayon and told to have fun. Mr Tobias was beaming at the front of the class, and she fought not to reflect it back, grinning at teachers wasn't cool. But as he announced the new assignment her face fell into a natural look of disbelief, her lips as straight as the pencil on her desk. Twenty percent of the grade was based on the artwork that went with it. Nine out of ten kids in the class voted to approve the new rubric and Heidi felt like something had just died in her mouth. Twenty percent. She could kiss her A's goodbye.
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