Getting back to absolute scientific values, after looking at yet another collection of glass vials, clocks, telescopes, and yes, astrolabes, at the Science Museum in Florence I spot a reliquary that contains Galileo’s index finger. What knowledge can be gained from such object? I wonder if anyone will ever admit how much scientific aura owes to religious beliefs? Much could be gained in the disclosure that scientific knowledge shares a lot of common ground with what is magical, what is religious, and what is superstitious.
This magic is what compels thousands of individuals into rigorous research. Instead of polarizing knowledge into what is science and what is not, as is commonly done today, we would all profit much more from a science that is rich in its human nature, and which admits its shortcomings.