#inquisitory

The practice of science is based on observation, hypothesis, theory, research and replicability. The spirituality of science stems, in many cases, from initial awe, fascination and mystery of an encounter. Many scientific careers are formed in childhood. Childhood attachments are however inseparable from the totality of experience, sun, wind, water, plants, animals, the love of parents. Scientific education rips the object of initial fascination out of context and into a formal ecological or physical system. For example, the beautiful silver fish acquires a name—let’s say a salmon, and a place in evolution. In fisheries and ecosystem science the salmon becomes a term in an equation, identical to all others of its kind and exchangeable through market price for other goods and services. Learning the language and method of science and proving the ability to contribute is a rite of passage from childhood attachment to membership. Science is no less a spiritual practice, but the scientific virtues of honesty and objectivity make it a spirituality of detachment rather than of belonging