Word: matter-of-fact
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People are prone to think of scientists as coldblooded, ruthlessly matter-of-fact beings, possessing the milk of human kindness in amounts inversely proportionate to the extent of their knowledge. The October issue of The Scientific Monthly contains two bits of evidence. In a highly technical account of the state of knowledge of the genes (constituent parts of sex cell chromosomes, which are believed to determine an organism's inherited characteristics), Dr. Walter L. Treadway of the U. S. Public Health Service paused to say: "In none of the experiments discussed in this article have the animals been given...
...These conversations," she wrote later, "continued for four days and on the fifth evening I was surprised when our great General told me in a very matter-of-fact way that, having a Western education, he thought I would make a fitting partner for him, and before I realized what I was doing I had accepted the offer in a real unsentimental, matter-of-fact spirit...
Ecclesiastics have stood in the curious twilight, between Earth and Heaven, between the logical and the ineffable; between the matter-of-fact and the unutterable. They have had to decide that a man denied God, when they themselves could not define God. The seven Bishops, by common sense, found Bishop Brown to be a heretic. But, in a spiritual sense, they may secretly have agreed with their victim that, after all, there is no such thing as a heretic...
...Wilson, of Harding and now of Coolidge. This policy says, in effect, to Russia: "When you have washed your face and are willing to respect the customs of other nations, you will be welcome to our economic help and moral support." It is rational and appeals to the matter-of-fact people who believe that rewards should be to the deserving and punishment to the wicked. The second course involves a rather different line of reasoning. This, naturally is the recognition of Russia, with everything that would go with it. Its supporters argue that in dealing with other nations, Russia...
Paine's "Oedipus Tynannis" prelude is far ahead of the work of most American acedemicians. A less matter-of-fact reading of it would have made this clear to many who remained untouched by yesterday's performance...