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Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > JAPANESE GOVERNMENT POLICES IN EDUCATION, SCIENCE, SPORTS AND CULTURE 1997 > Scientific Research Introduction 1 (1)

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Scientific Research: Opening the Door to the Future
Introduction
1. Scientific Research: Why It Is Done and Who It Is For.
(1) Advanced Intellectual Effort in Pursuit of Truth


Like the young Thomas Edison, children can drive their parents to distraction by continually asking "Why?" This is evidence of the innate intellectual curiosity of the species taxonomists have named "Homo sapiens," or "humans with wisdom." Our curiosity about the unknown is reflected in our desire for a structured, over-all grasp of ourselves and phenomena around us.

Scientific research is the advanced, intellectual pursuit of truth by researchers driven by the desire to attain a systematic, comprehensive understanding of humanity, society, and nature. Thus respect for researchers' autonomy and freedom of thought is absolutely vital, so scientific research is conducted mainly in universities, where this requirement can best be met.


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