Dominic-Luc Webb wrote:
>> Thanks for the responses, even the couple of
> very rude and unprofessional ones I got from
> poorly informed would-be scientists who spend
> more time discrediting good scientists than
> doing real science.
I haven't seen any unprofessional or rude responses here. Direct,
maybe, but not rude. Perhaps you received some other responses, not
posted to this forum, that weren't trying to be helpful.
---
I would add to this discussion that, depending on particular
circumstances, the role of a graduate student in an apparently
contentious scientific debate can be a difficult one to play. In my
experience, graduate students or even a post-doctoral associates often
feel obliged not to contradict their senior colleagues scientifically,
because such an opposition may hinder their future careers. This is
very understandable. Indeed those of us who were or are educators
understand that the relationship between a professor and a student is
not a relationship among equals. There is a real power differential.
At the same time, an aspiring scientist does have an obligation to
critically evaluate the facts, hypotheses, theories, or simply "accepted
truths" in the chosen field of study. The obligation to be critical
remains even when these "accepted truths" are espoused by The Boss, in
this case a thesis advisor.
As I said, depending on the circumstances, finding the best way to
produce an acceptable thesis (that is, a thesis that _will_ be accepted
by the _particular_ committee), and thus will yield future employment to
the student, may be a largely political problem rather than a scientific
one. (We all know that it is possible to compose a thesis committee not
including a member that will closely scrutinize the "rate-limiting step"
question.) I believe that it is legitimate for this or any other
student to evaluate the personalities and interests of their thesis
advisors and, depending on what they find, chose not to contradict them
if the student feels that such a revolt could cause them undue personal
hardship. However, it is important for them to understand that *that*
is perhaps the choice they are making.
Best wishes,
-- Petr
_____________________________________________________________________
P e t r K u z m i c, Ph.D. mailto:pkuzmic at biokin.com
BioKin Ltd. * Software and Consulting http://www.biokin.com
P.O. Box 8336 Ph. 608.256.4790
Madison, WI 53708 Fax 608.256.1269
