Background
Donald Elkinton Stokes was born on April 1, 1927, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. He was the son of Joseph Jr. and Frances Deborah (Elkinton) Stokes.
(Over fifty years ago, Vannevar Bush released his enormous...)
Over fifty years ago, Vannevar Bush released his enormously influential report, Science, the Endless Frontier, which asserted a dichotomy between basic and applied science. This view was at the core of the compact between government and science that led to the golden age of scientific research after World War IIa compact that is currently under severe stress. In this book, Donald Stokes challenges Bush's view and maintains that we can only rebuild the relationship between government and the scientific community when we understand what is wrong with that view. Stokes begins with an analysis of the goals of understanding and use in scientific research. He recasts the widely accepted view of the tension between understanding and use, citing as a model case the fundamental yet use-inspired studies by which Louis Pasteur laid the foundations of microbiology a century ago. Pasteur worked in the era of the "second industrial revolution," when the relationship between basic science and technological change assumed its modern form. Over subsequent decades, technology has been increasingly science-based. But science has been increasingly technology-based--with the choice of problems and the conduct of research often inspired by societal needs. An example is the work of the quantum-effects physicists who are probing the phenomena revealed by the miniaturization of semiconductors from the time of the transistor's discovery after World War II. On this revised, interactive view of science and technology, Stokes builds a convincing case that by recognizing the importance of use-inspired basic research we can frame a new compact between science and government. His conclusions have major implications for both the scientific and policy communities and will be of great interest to those in the broader public who are troubled by the current role of basic science in American democracy. Over fifty years ago, Vannevar Bush released his enormously influential report, Science, the Endless Frontier, which asserted a dichotomy between basic and applied science. This view was at the core of the compact between government and science that led to the golden age of scientific research after World War IIa compact that is currently under severe stress. In this book, Donald Stokes challenges Bush's view and maintains that we can only rebuild the relationship between government and the scientific community when we understand what is wrong with that view. Stokes begins with an analysis of the goals of understanding and use in scientific research. He recasts the widely accepted view of the tension between understanding and use, citing as a model case the fundamental yet use-inspired studies by which Louis Pasteur laid the foundations of microbiology a century ago. Pasteur worked in the era of the "second industrial revolution," when the relationship between basic science and technological change assumed its modern form. Over subsequent decades, technology has been increasingly science-based. But science has been increasingly technology-based--with the choice of problems and the conduct of research often inspired by societal needs. An example is the work of the quantum-effects physicists who are probing the phenomena revealed by the miniaturization of semiconductors from the time of the transistor's discovery after World War II. On this revised, interactive view of science and technology, Stokes builds a convincing case that by recognizing the importance of use-inspired basic research we can frame a new compact between science and government. His conclusions have major implications for both the scientific and policy communities and will be of great interest to those in the broader public who are troubled by the current role of basic science in American democracy.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0815781776/?tag=2022091-20
1997
educator political scientist author
Donald Elkinton Stokes was born on April 1, 1927, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. He was the son of Joseph Jr. and Frances Deborah (Elkinton) Stokes.
Stokes graduated in 1951 with a bachelor's degree from Princeton University. He also obtained his doctorate in Political Science from Yale University in 1958.
Stokes began an extensive teaching career at Yale University in 1952. In 1958, Stokes accepted a post at the University of Michigan, which he held until 1974. At that time he left for Princeton University in New Jersey, where he became a professor of politics and public affairs, as well as the dean of Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. He held that position until his death.
(Over fifty years ago, Vannevar Bush released his enormous...)
1997Stokes was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, American Association for the Advancement of Science, National Academy Public Administration, American Political Science Association, Council Foreign Relations, American Association Public Opinion Research and Phi Beta Kappa.
Stokes married Sybil Langbaum on May 18, 1955. The couple had 2 children – Elizabeth Ann and Susan Carol.