Johannes Stark: "Jewish Science" vs. "German Science"

THESIS: Stark, a German scientist, expresses in this passage his firm belief in "German Science," being the prominent science with objective analysis of nature, whereas "Jewish science," sacrificed this objectivity and a subjective viewpoint. I. Science is not "international"

• It is conditioned by the spiritual and characterological endowments of its specific practitioners.


• German science thus as a whole takes on a "Volkish" style

II. German Science

• The spirit of the German enables him to observe things outside himself exactly as they are, without the interpolation of his own ideas and wishes, and his body does not shrink from the effort which the investigation of nature demands of him.


• Based on the German's love of nature and his natural aptitude for natural sciences.


• The "Nordic-Germanic feature"


• Germans derive joy and satisfaction from acquisition of scientific knowledge.

III. Jewish Science

• Jewish spirit, and thus Jewish Science, is wholly focused on its own ego, its own conception, and its self-interest - and behind its egocentric coneption stands its strong will to win recognition for itself and its interests.


• Jews only heed facts to the extent that they do not hamper its opinions and purposes


• Jews mix facts and imputations in the endeavor to secure the court decision he desires.


• Jewish spirit thus has little aptitude for creative activity in the sciences, because it takes the individual's thinking and will as the measure of things, whereas science demands observation and respect for the facts.

IV. Conclusion

• German Science is the superior science, BUT a Jewish scientist, such as Hertz, can succeed as long as he is influenced by or somewhat a part of the German spirit (Hertz had a German mother, which, Stark says, is why Hertz was a good scientist).