Science:Funding and Morals (and the Spirit)

[C_REYES at RUMAC.UPR.CLU.EDU]

Tivol wrote:
	"The priorities of our (USA) society are decided by what people are
willing to pay for.  True, the benefits to society would be vastly greater
if teachers were paid a lot and (e.g.) Michael Jackson earned only a little,
but the truth is that many people will pay lots of hard-earned $$$ to see or
hear a rock star"

There is a more basic element to this discussion. Yes, I know it is a bad
word among some scientists... MMMM, I will say it. It is the HUMAN SPIRIT.
It has to do with the perceptions of the individual. What he feels and
thinks life is all about (Purposly mentioned feeling, since is part of
the human spirit). Answers to questions like:

	What are we here for? or Is life worth living? Shall I forgive
when injured? Has religion any sense? Is poetry important?

	Every time I visit the US ( I live in Puerto Rico) I am amazed
at the concern for money in many circles, specially Universities. As if
money were the dominating force in society. It is important but those
spiritual values are more at the root of the society. What has made the
US a great nation has been the feeling and written statement that liberty
is important. Everybody agrees that the individual liberty is valuable. 
That spiritual perception has been more important than money.

Tivol Continues:

	"These are very complex problems, but you're right.  The problems
have to be dealt with in their full complexity in order to find the solu-
tion.  The best way to do this is incrementally (and, at least, pseudo-
adibatically)." 

	I agree but IMHO not until we face more basic problems are we going to 
get anywhere.

					Cesar