Science and Truth

Ed elli a me: “Ritorna a tua scïenza,

che vuol, quanto la cosa è più perfetta,

più senta il bene, e così la doglienza.

Tutto che questa gente maladetta

in vera perfezion già mai non vada,

di là più che di qua essere aspetta.”

********

And he replied: ‘Return to your science,

which has it that, in measure of a thing’s perfection,

it feels both more of pleasure and of pain.

‘Although these accursèd people

will never come to true perfection,

they will be nearer it than they are now.’

(From Dante’s Inferno, scene VI)

But should these people walk each on his/her alone – ON THEIR OWN? True knowledge is only knowledge owned by all – and can only emerge from collective and cooperative endeavour.