The Highest Aim of the Physicist - Address Delivered to the Physical Society of America

Aug 23, 2026

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An address by Henry A. Rowland to the Physical Society of America, framing physics in terms of its highest purpose: investigating the foundations of the universe, the constitution of matter, and the ether through which distant interactions occur. The speech argues for an intellectual and ideal-based “aristocracy” of discovery rather than wealth or pedigree, contrasts pure inquiry with merely practical applications, and urges scientists to exchange knowledge, critique work, and publish results so discoveries benefit the world.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

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Pages11

Reading Time28 min

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AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE

FOURTH SERIES

ART.XLV.—The Highest Aim of the Physicist

Address to the Physical Society of America (October 28, 1899)

# AMERICAN JOURNALOF SCIENCE [FOURTH SERIES.] ART.XLV.—The Highest Aim of the Physicist;by HENRY A.RoWLAND. [ADDRESS DELIVERED TO THE PHYSICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA BY THE PRESIDENTAT ITS MEETING IN NEW YORK,OCTOBER 28,1899.] GENTLEMEN AND FELLOw PHYSICISTS OF AMERICA—-Wemeet to-day on an occasion which marks an epoch in the his-tory of physics in America;may the future show that it alsomarks an epoch in the history of the science which this societyis organized to cultivate!For we meet here in the interest ofa science above all sciences which deals with the foundation ofthe Universe,with the constitution of matter from whicheverything in the Universe is made and with the ether ofspace by which alone the various portions of matter formingthe Universe affect each other even at such distances as we maynever expect to traverse whatever the progress of our sciencein the future. We,who have devoted our lives to the solution of problemsconnected with physics,now meet together to help each otherand to forward the interests of the subject which we love.Asubject which appeals most strongly to the better instincts ofour nature and the problems of which.tax our minds to thelimit of their capacity and snggest the grandest and noblestideas of which they are capable. In a country where the doctrine of the equal rights of manhas been distorted to mean the equality of man in otherrespects,we form a small and unique body of men,a newvariety of the human race as one of onr greatest scientists callsit,whose views of what constitutes'the greatest achievementin life are very different from those around us.In this respectwe form an aristocracy,not of wealth,not of pedigree,but of AM,JoUR.ScI.—FoURTH SERIES,VoL VIII,No.48.—DECEMBER,1899. intellect and of ideals,holding hin in the highest respect whoadds the most to our knowledge or who strives after it as thehighest good. Thus we meet together for imutnal sympathy and the inter-change of knowledge,and may we do so ever with appreciationof the benefits to ourselves and possibly to our science.Aboveall,let us cnltivate the idea of the dignity of our pursnit sothat this feeling may sustain ns in the midst of a world whichgives its highest praise,not to the investigation in the pureetherial physics which our society is formed to cultivate,butto the one who uses it for satisfying the physical rather thanthe intellectual needs of mankind. He who makes two bladesof grass grow where one grew before is the benefactor of man-kind;but he who obscurely worked to find the laws of suchgrowth is the intellectual superior as well as the greater bene-factor of the two. How stands our country,then,in this respect?My answermust still be now as it was fifteen years ago,that muchof the intellect of the country is still wasted in the pursuitof so-called practical science which ministers to onr physicalneeds and but little thought and money is given to the granderportion of the subject which appeals to our intellect alone.But your presence here gives evidence that such a conditionis not to last forever. Even in the past we have a few names whom scientiststhroughout the world delight to honor.Franklin,who almostrevolutionized the science of electricity by a few simple butprofound experiments.Count Rumford,whose experimentsalmost demonstrated the nature of heat.Henry,who mighthave done much for the progress of physics had he publishedmore fully the results of lis investigations.Mayer,whosesimple and ingenious experiments have been a source ofpleasure and profit to many.This is the meager list of thosewhom death allows me to speak of and who have earned men-tion here by doing something for the progress of our science.And yet the record has been searched for more than a hundredyears.How different had I started to record those who havemade nseful and beneficial inventions! But I know,when i look in the faces of those before me,where the eager intellect and high purpose sit enthroned onbodies possessing th

FAQs

What “highest aim” does the physicist pursue in this address?

The address presents the highest aim as investigating the universe’s foundations—matter, gravitation, ether and radiation—beyond merely satisfying physical needs.

How does the speech distinguish pure science from practical science?

It criticizes an overemphasis on so-called practical science serving physical requirements while arguing that intellectual inquiry in pure physics deserves greater attention and resources.

Why does the address emphasize publishing and sharing discoveries?

It states that unpublished results remain private gain; only communicating them clearly can persuade and convince others, enabling real benefit to the world.

Aug 23, 2026

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