Re: cathode rays - historical question

[Joseph Bellina <jbellina@SAINTMARYS.EDU>]

On Sun, 6 Apr 2003, John S. Denker wrote:

> If you're going to do history, do it right.  Even
> then, remember it is usually not a good guide to
> teaching the facts and concepts of science as presently
> understood.  And it's not even a good guide to how
> science should be done;  past scientists have made
> plenty of mistakes.
Au contraire, this is precisely why historical content is so important
since it give the student entre into thinking, not just memorizing.  It
gives students permission to take risks, to see that ideas do not just
spring fully developed out of some text book, but are the result of the
effort or real human being.

God help us if our students think that scientists don't make
mistakes...would you want to be judged by that standard?  The conclusion
is to not be a scientist.

 Joseph J. Bellina, Jr.               574-284-4662
Associate Professor of Physics
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN 46556