Alpher's Approach To Science
Alpher told Joseph D'Agnese in his interview for Discover Magazine, There are two reasons you do science. One is the altruistic feeling that maybe you can contribute to mankind's store of knowledge about the world. The other and more personal thing is you want the approbation of your peers. Pure and simple.
Ralph Alpher told his son Victor (1980) when considering advanced education, that "approbation" of anyone was NOT the reason to pursue graduate study or a career requiring advanced intensive study. Rather, he said to Victor, "you must enjoy and find satisfaction in the work you do every day, because you will not receive frequent rewards or pats on the back." At that time had received only three awards for his work in cosmology, from the American Philosophical Society, the Belgian Academy of Science, and the Franklin Institute—all occurring after he turned 50 (personal communication to Victor S. Alpher added July 7, 2011).
Read more about this topic: Ralph Asher Alpher
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