Word: mathers
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Dates: during 1930-1939
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Walking encyclopedias who spout names and dates and other people's theories are plodding along today in the field of social sciences according to Professor Mather in a recent interview on concentration and distribution. Natural sciences not social sciences teach the student methods of thought and analysis and give him the tools to work out problems under his own steam. This is not a reflection upon the intrinsic merits of the social sciences as a field of concentration, but rather the attack points an accusing finger at the manner in which social sciences are being taught at Harvard...
Take as an example, economics, a particular branch of the social sciences which in many ways is very much like a natural science. If properly taught, it should supply the student with exactly what Professor Mather desired most, methods of analysis and the tools with which to solve problems by himself. If this were done the methodology would be much like that of mathematics, and even according to Dr. Mather's conception equally good training for the mind. But at the present time, except for a few isolated instructors, the Economics department fails to do this. Instead, the theories worked...
Kirtley F. Mather, professor of Geology, claimed that science, better than anything else, teaches students to think clearly. "So many men who have concentrated in history or government, for example, become walking encyclopedias. They spout dates, facts, and other persons' theories, but have not learned to think for themselves. In the science lab the student learns to work out his own problems by himself...
...have to get busy," said Kirtley F. Mather, professor of Geology, who has in the past carried on the strongest fight against the oath from the University front. He stated that he did not agree with Harvard's policy of taking a back seat in the struggle...
Other speakers included Thomas H. Eliot '28 regional administrator of the wage and hours act; Kirtley F. Mather, professor of Geology; Ernest J. Simmons, assistant professor of English, representing the Cambridge Union of University Teachers; Zechariah Chafee, of the Law School; William N. Chambers '39, representing the Student Union; and C. Fayette Taylor, professor at Tech...