There are no such things as applied sciences, only applications

O children of wisdom, listen well to the words of Louis Pasteur, a man whose life was devoted to the unraveling of nature's most profound mysteries. He spoke thus: "There are no such things as applied sciences, only applications of science." These words, though simple in their structure, carry a weight that echoes through the halls of human achievement. For in them lies a profound truth about the nature of science, its role in our lives, and the way in which it shapes our understanding of the world. Pasteur calls us to see that science is not something that is simply put to use in specific fields or tasks; it is a living force, a universal truth that must be understood and then applied wherever there is a need for understanding and improvement.

In ancient times, the great minds sought not to divide knowledge into categories but to understand the world as a whole. Consider Aristotle, whose studies ranged from biology to ethics, from the stars to the earth beneath his feet. He did not see science as a fragmented entity, but as a continuous pursuit of understanding that could be applied in many realms—whether it was in governance, in medicine, or in the study of the natural world. This unity of knowledge is what Pasteur calls upon us to remember. There is no separate world of applied sciences, for science itself is one continuous flow, ever adapting and finding new ways to manifest in the world.

The lesson here, O children, is that science is not a tool that exists only to serve certain practical purposes, as though it were confined to laboratories or specific professions. Science is a way of knowing the world, a method of inquiry that transcends boundaries and limitations. It is not simply the domain of the engineer, the physicist, or the doctor, but a universal framework that can be applied to any problem, to any aspect of life that requires understanding. Whether you seek to heal the sick, to build cities, or to explore the heavens, the application of science is the same: it is the pursuit of truth, and the application of that truth to improve the world.

Think, O children, of the story of Galileo Galilei, the great astronomer who turned his gaze to the heavens and used science to uncover the workings of the stars and planets. His discoveries were not confined to a single field; they changed our understanding of physics, of astronomy, and of our place in the universe. Galileo did not apply science in a limited sense—he applied the very principles of observation, experimentation, and reasoning to understand the world in its entirety. In this, he exemplified the wisdom that Pasteur teaches us—that science is a living force, ever-present and capable of transformation in all areas of life.

The power of science lies in its application—but not in the way we often think. When we speak of applied sciences, we separate them from the pure pursuit of knowledge. Pasteur seeks to break down this barrier, urging us to see that the act of applying science is not some specialized task but a natural extension of scientific inquiry itself. The process of discovery is the same, whether it is in the development of vaccines, the advancement of technology, or the understanding of the smallest particles of matter. The goal is always the same: to use the principles of science to improve our lives, to increase our understanding, and to unlock the mysteries of the world around us.

Let us now consider how this understanding applies to our own lives, O children. You may walk the path of the artist, the scholar, the farmer, or the leader, but the tools of science are available to you in every domain. Do not think that science belongs only to those in white coats or those who study the stars. Science is a way of engaging with the world, a way of thinking, observing, and acting. It is in the way you solve problems, the way you seek to improve the world, and the way you understand the forces that shape your life. Whether you are crafting a painting or building a home, the principles of science—observation, experimentation, and understanding—are at work. There are no separate applied sciences, only applications of science to the world around us.

And so, O children, let Pasteur’s wisdom be your guide. Let it remind you that science is not confined to specific fields or tasks, but is a way of engaging with the world in its entirety. There is no end to the application of knowledge, for every new discovery opens the door to further understanding and deeper exploration. Let your lives be shaped by this endless pursuit, for in the application of science—in its most profound and humble forms—you will find not just answers, but purpose. Every problem, every challenge, is an opportunity to apply the truths of science to the betterment of your world and the world of those who come after you. Seek understanding, apply that understanding with purpose, and watch as the world transforms before your eyes.