The physical sciences, good and innocent in themselves, had already... begun to be warped, had been subtly manoeuvred in a certain direction. Despair of objective truth had been increasingly insinuated into the scientists; indifference to it, and a concentration upon mere power, had been the result The very experiences of the dissecting room and the pathological laboratory were breeding a conviction that the stifling of all deep-set repugnances was the first essential for progress.

Summary

This quote highlights how the pursuit of power and progress in the physical sciences has led to a distortion of objectivity and a disregard for ethical considerations. The scientists' indifference to the truth and their preoccupation with gaining power have been subtly encouraged, causing a loss of moral compass. Even experiences in the dissecting room and laboratory, which should foster understanding and empathy, are instead promoting the suppression of innate repugnances for the sake of advancement. This quote serves as a warning against the potential dangers of sacrificing ethical principles for the pursuit of scientific progress.

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