McGuffey's Sixth Eclectic Reader, Revised Edition · Lesson CXII · Part 11: Franklin, the sea, India and The Raven
118. Objects and Limits of Science (Robert Charles Winthrop)
Goal: Your student can state what Winthrop thinks science can do, and where he says it must stop.
You'll need
- The book, open to this lesson
- A notebook and pen
- A dictionary
What's in the book
From an address by Winthrop: science should explore all of nature, but not try to break through to the Invisible. Notes explain Orion, Andromeda, Leviathan and Behemoth.
The lesson, step by step
Words and meanings
Read the notes printed at the end of the lesson together before reading. The book explains, among others:
Orion and Andromeda: the names of two constellations
Leviathan and Behemoth: beasts described in Job, chapters xli and xl; it is not known exactly what beasts are meant
Ask your student to find two other hard words in the lesson, guess their meaning from the sentence, then check a dictionary.
About the author
The book says Winthrop, born in Boston in 1809, descends from John Winthrop, first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He graduated from Harvard in 1828, studied law under Daniel Webster, and was Speaker of the U.S. House in 1847. His published work is mostly addresses and speeches.
Read aloud
Read it aloud, one paragraph at a time.
Listen for these lines:
Let them not break through the bounds to gaze after the Invisible.
Talk about it
SayWhat does Winthrop want scientists to study? Make a list.
SayWhere does he say science should stop? Why?
SayWhy does he mention Orion, Andromeda, Leviathan and Behemoth?
SayDo you agree there are questions science can't answer? Give an example.
Narration
Your student explains Winthrop's view in two parts: the objects of science, then its limits.
Writing (optional)
Write a paragraph agreeing or disagreeing with Winthrop, with one reason.