The Organization of Inquiry (1966) Ch 1. The Social Organization of Science
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Clearly the present organization of the scientific community, cutting across the lines of nation states, bureaus, and almost all previously existing institutions, cannot be the result of conscious planning. There is, today, a good deal of organizational planning, but all of the instrumentalities which engage in this activity were founded after the development of science was well under way. Further, most of these organizations are parochial in nature, concerning themselves with only some special part of the scientific community like mathematical biophysics or Russian science. There is no general institution which has shaped or now can shape the development of science, only a mass of institutions which provide little more than liaison (and sometimes funds) for the scientific “producers.”

— Gordon Tullock

What It Means

This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "Clearly the present organization of the scientific community, cutting across the lines of nation states, bureaus, and almost all previously existing institutions, cannot be the result of conscious planning. There is, today, a good deal of organizational planning, but all of the instrumentalities which engage in this activity were founded after the development of science was well under way. Further, most of these organizations are parochial in nature, concerning themselves with only some special part of the scientific community like mathematical biophysics or Russian science. There is no general institution which has shaped or now can shape the development of science, only a mass of institutions which provide little more than liaison (and sometimes funds) for the scientific “producers.”" in the context of "The Organization of Inquiry (1966) Ch 1. The Social Organization of Science" to mean that wisdom is timeless.

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Gordon Tullock

About Gordon Tullock

Gordon Tullock (February 13, 1922– November 3, 2014) was an economist and retired Professor of Law and Economics at the George Mason University School of Law.