Madame Curie Group

Question:

elaine38
elaine38
Student
College - Freshman

Famous quote "nothing is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more,need a critical analysis

thanks for you help i appreciate it

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Posted by elaine38 on Tuesday November 3, 2009 at 7:28 AM and tagged with help with the quote, madame curie.

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  1. jseligmann Teacher
    High School - 11th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    The full quote from Marie Curie is: "Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood."

    You could call this the ultimate view of science and the scientific method. Science is mankind's attempt to see things clearly and to counteract fear. The unknown gives rise to fear and fear engenders superstition and magical thinking.

    If you lay awake in the dark of night, and you hear strange sounds coming from the attic above your room, you might well feel afraid. Oooh, what are those creepy noises up there? But if you turn on the light next to your bed and climb those winding stairs to the attic (or you get someone else to do it for you because you are still too afraid) then the cause for those scary noises will be found. Perhaps a window was left open and the wind blew in, or the attic fan was left on and clothes hangers were being blown together. And when you finally learn what caused the noises, your nerves will be calmed, your fear assuaged, and you can sleep in peace. Then you will have learned Madame Curie's little lesson all for your self: "Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood."

    At least until the next time, for to feel fear is always easier than to find out.

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    Posted by jseligmann on Tuesday November 3, 2009 at 12:50 PM