THE PHILOSOPHER. Did you ever know an inventor?
THE LADY. Yes....
THE PHILOSOPHER. Was he rich?
THE LADY. He starved to death.
THE PHILOSOPHER. Why?
THE LADY. Because every one said that his invention was very wonderful,
but not of the slightest use to anybody.... Yes, it’s true.
THE PHILOSOPHER. That the results of thinking do not provide the motive
for thinking?
THE LADY. Yes.
THE PHILOSOPHER. Then what is the motive for thinking?
THE LADY. Just--curiosity, I suppose!
THE PHILOSOPHER. Disinterested curiosity?
THE LADY. Yes.
THE PHILOSOPHER. Then in the interests of scientific truth we should
cultivate disinterested curiosity?
THE LADY. Doubtless.
THE PHILOSOPHER. How would you go about doing so?
THE LADY. I don’t know.
THE PHILOSOPHER. By hurriedly thrusting upon the minds of the children
in your charge so great a multitude of interests as to leave them no
time to wonder about anything?