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The Reality of Invisible Forces
1
PROCEEDINGS OF THE I.R.E. As long as science was an abstract and remote thing having no substantial relation to everyday living, men in general were willing to leave the nature and effects of science to the ivory-towered scientists. But now science and its many engineering applications profoundly affect every man, whether he knows it or not. The coolie gathering rice in China may be influenced by the invention of a machine for making breakfast foods in Battle Creek, Mich. A clerk in any city may meet a sudden doom as a result of the discovery of the equivalence of mass and energy and the resulting implications (and atomic-bomb applications) of that startling fact. Mankind can no longer disregard the scientist. Conversely, the applied scientist can no longer slight human needs, neglect the social consequences of his work, or close his mind to urgently needed expansions of the scientific method. In the following thoughtful discussion, a necessary first step is proposed to ward off major injury to our civilization in an analysis written by a former Director of the Institute, a member of its Editorial Administrative Committee, and Vice-President in charge of engineering of Sylvania Electric Products Inc. He has suggested a promising line of thought and action.-The Editor. The Reality of Invisible Forces E. FINLEY CARTER No one has ever seen a force of any kind. We are too prone to think that our operating de- vices and activities are forces in themselves, whereas they are only tangible evidence of invisible forces at work. A realization of that fact is needed as a starting point for a fresh consideration of the power of great spiritual forces at work within our human society. From the viewpoint of the physicist, force may be defined as that which changes the state of rest or motion in matter. Its effect is measured by the rate of change in momentum. Spiritual forces also tend to change the state of rest or momentum, not so much of matter as of events. These are positive as well as negative forces. Their names in our everyday language are love, hate, hope, fear, faith, and despair. They are as difficult to define as electricity and magnetism, but there are many analogies that can be drawn between these forces and the physical forces with which engineers deal. Though we have become accustomed to dealing with great forces, many have not become real to us because we have not learned to know them. The forces of gravity, electricity, and magnetism were not accepted as real until relatively re- cently. It has not been long since their manifestations were looked upon with awe and surrounded by superstition. Lightning was the wrath of the gods. Those who dared explore the unknown were often jeered and even persecuted. It took brave men, compelled by faith and conviction, to risk being different in their urge to know the truth. But there were such pioneers who brought forth basic knowledge and who dared to apply it. As a result, the method of invention was born. From invention has sprung the Industrial Revolution, and with it, the engineer as the applied scientist.Just as the Industrial Revolution awaited sound and wide-spread application of the invisible physical forces discovered and defined by the great scientific thinkers, so may a Spiri- tual Revolution result from the sound application of spiritual forces that have been enunciated and displayed by great thinkers and great lives who have preceded us. Such a revolution is await- ing the applied social scientist or the "human engineer." The discovery or enunciation of a scientific principle, no matter how profound, is not enough. It must be applied to be effective. The engineer, who has applied the invisible but real physical forces of the universe so effectively during the recent past, can contribute toward the applica- tion of the great spiritual forces which inspire one's finer emotions. It is about time that we turn a portion of our thoughts to the seeking of a further understanding in order that we may better apply these great forces which motivate our very existence and govern our relationships with one another. They work on the hearts and wills of men and nothing is accomplished that is not first willed. It is within the province of each of us to devote some time to a better understanding of human relations and of the impact of new scientific developments upon society. Life is becom- ing increasingly complex. We, as engineers, have helped to make it that way. It is high time that we learn better how to live with our inventions and with each other. We can ill afford to ignore this fact, unless we wish to invite chaos which will make of little real importance the material wonders of our age. *QW 4990 40(2* 1950 339
Transcript of The Reality of Invisible Forces
PROCEEDINGS OF THE I.R.E.
As long as science was an abstract and remote thing having no substantial relation to everydayliving, men in general were willing to leave the nature and effects of science to the ivory-toweredscientists.
But now science and its many engineering applications profoundly affect every man, whetherhe knows it or not. The coolie gathering rice in China may be influenced by the invention of a
machine for making breakfast foods in Battle Creek, Mich. A clerk in any city may meet asudden doom as a result of the discovery of the equivalence of mass and energy and the resultingimplications (and atomic-bomb applications) of that startling fact.
Mankind can no longer disregard the scientist. Conversely, the applied scientist can no longerslight human needs, neglect the social consequences of his work, or close his mind to urgently neededexpansions of the scientific method.
In the following thoughtful discussion, a necessary first step is proposed to ward off majorinjury to our civilization in an analysis written by a former Director of the Institute, a memberof its Editorial Administrative Committee, and Vice-President in charge of engineering of SylvaniaElectric Products Inc. He has suggested a promising line of thought and action.-The Editor.
The Reality of Invisible ForcesE. FINLEY CARTER
No one has ever seen a force of any kind. We are too prone to think that our operating de-vices and activities are forces in themselves, whereas they are only tangible evidence of invisibleforces at work. A realization of that fact is needed as a starting point for a fresh consideration ofthe power of great spiritual forces at work within our human society.From the viewpoint of the physicist, force may be defined as that which changes the state of
rest or motion in matter. Its effect is measured by the rate of change in momentum. Spiritualforces also tend to change the state of rest or momentum, not so much of matter as of events.These are positive as well as negative forces. Their names in our everyday language are love,hate, hope, fear, faith, and despair. They are as difficult to define as electricity and magnetism,but there are many analogies that can be drawn between these forces and the physical forceswith which engineers deal. Though we have become accustomed to dealing with great forces,many have not become real to us because we have not learned to know them.The forces of gravity, electricity, and magnetism were not accepted as real until relatively re-
cently. It has not been long since their manifestations were looked upon with awe and surroundedby superstition. Lightning was the wrath of the gods. Those who dared explore the unknownwere often jeered and even persecuted. It took brave men, compelled by faith and conviction,to risk being different in their urge to know the truth. But there were such pioneers who broughtforth basic knowledge and who dared to apply it. As a result, the method of invention was born.From invention has sprung the Industrial Revolution, and with it, the engineer as the appliedscientist.Just as the Industrial Revolution awaited sound and wide-spread application of theinvisible physical forces discovered and defined by the great scientific thinkers, so may a Spiri-tual Revolution result from the sound application of spiritual forces that have been enunciatedand displayed by great thinkers and great lives who have preceded us. Such a revolution is await-ing the applied social scientist or the "human engineer."The discovery or enunciation of a scientific principle, no matter how profound, is not enough.
It must be applied to be effective. The engineer, who has applied the invisible but real physicalforces of the universe so effectively during the recent past, can contribute toward the applica-tion of the great spiritual forces which inspire one's finer emotions. It is about time that we turna portion of our thoughts to the seeking of a further understanding in order that we may betterapply these great forces which motivate our very existence and govern our relationships withone another. They work on the hearts and wills of men and nothing is accomplished that is notfirst willed. It is within the province of each of us to devote some time to a better understandingof human relations and of the impact of new scientific developments upon society. Life is becom-ing increasingly complex. We, as engineers, have helped to make it that way. It is high timethat we learn better how to live with our inventions and with each other. We can ill afford toignore this fact, unless we wish to invite chaos which will make of little real importance thematerial wonders of our age.
*QW 4990
40(2*
1950 339
