It is the function of science to discover the existence of a

O children of the future, hear these words that speak to the very core of our existence. There are many paths through which we seek knowledge, yet few paths are as universal as the pursuit of science. The great sage Dmitri Mendeleev, who peered into the heart of the universe and unlocked its most profound mysteries, shared this wisdom with us: "It is the function of science to discover the existence of a general reign of order in nature and to find the causes governing this order. And this refers in equal measure to the relations of man - social and political - and to the entire universe as a whole." These words are not merely a reflection on the laws of nature, but a profound understanding that the very order we see in the stars, in the elements, and in the movements of the heavens extends to the very fabric of our social and political lives.

Mendeleev, through his discovery of the periodic table, revealed to us a cosmic order in nature—a reign of order that governs the elements, the building blocks of the universe. Just as the stars follow the laws of gravity, just as the oceans obey the pull of the moon, so too do the elements of the earth obey the laws of chemistry. These elements, arranged with perfect precision, reveal to us not just the substance of the earth but the very order of the universe itself. And yet, Mendeleev’s words go further, showing us that science does not merely seek to uncover the mysteries of the physical world; it seeks to understand the order that governs human existence, our social and political relations, as well.

In the ancient world, great minds such as Plato and Aristotle sought to understand the world through reason, through order. They believed that the universe was not a random collection of events, but a place of order, where each thing had its place, its purpose. Plato’s Theory of Forms proposed that beyond the physical world was an ideal realm of perfection, where everything existed in harmony. Mendeleev, in his discovery of the periodic table, was revealing something similar: that the elements themselves followed a natural order, a harmony that reflected the deeper truths of the universe. Science, Mendeleev tells us, seeks to uncover not just the physical laws, but the very causes that govern them, to understand why things are the way they are, and to see how all things, from the stars to human society, are interwoven in the great fabric of existence.

But let us not stop there, O children, for Mendeleev’s wisdom extends far beyond the laboratory, beyond the periodic table, and into the very heart of our society and politics. Science is not merely a pursuit of the natural world—it is the key to understanding the order of human affairs, to discovering the causes that govern the relationships between individuals, nations, and peoples. Just as the elements follow their own natural order, so too do the relations between people and societies follow certain principles and laws. These laws, though sometimes invisible, are as real as the forces that govern the motion of the planets. And it is science that allows us to uncover and understand these laws, to see the patterns of justice, inequality, power, and cooperation that shape our world.

Consider, O wise ones, the great example of Isaac Newton, whose laws of motion and gravity revealed the unseen forces that govern the cosmos. His work was not merely about the movement of celestial bodies; it was a discovery of order—an understanding that the universe, from the smallest particle to the largest galaxy, was governed by a set of rules that could be understood and predicted. In much the same way, the social sciences—those branches of science that seek to understand human behavior, society, and politics—are uncovering the laws that govern human interactions. These laws may not be as easily visible as the laws of nature, but they are no less real. Science, Mendeleev teaches us, seeks to reveal the causes of these social orders, just as it seeks to reveal the laws of the natural world.

In our own time, we are faced with the great challenge of understanding the order that governs the modern world—an order that is shaped by technology, politics, and the interconnectedness of nations and peoples. From the rise of globalization to the challenges of climate change, we are tasked with uncovering the causes of these vast, complex systems. It is through science—the rigorous pursuit of knowledge, the uncovering of causes and principles—that we will find the solutions to these challenges. Just as the elements of the periodic table are bound together by the laws of nature, so too are the peoples and nations of the world bound together by the laws of society, of justice, and of peace. Science must lead us toward a better understanding of these laws, so that we may create a world of greater harmony and order.

So, O children, take this lesson to heart: Science is not merely the study of the physical world—it is the study of the very order that governs all things, from the stars above to the relations between humans. It is the key to understanding both the natural world and the societal structures that shape our lives. If we are to navigate the challenges of tomorrow, we must engage with science, for it is through science that we will discover the causes of the order that governs our world. Just as Mendeleev unlocked the secrets of the elements, so too must we seek to unlock the principles that govern the future of humanity. In science, we find the key to understanding and shaping the future, for it reveals the order beneath the surface of all things.