BASIC SCIENCE vs APPLIED SCIENCE. Which one is worthier?

In most of industries, there is always a research and development (R&D) division. Most of them are funded by their government (public support), their own company or by another sponsors (private support). Regarding the big amount of money needed by the division, comes an industry which names research evaluation industry. The main job of the research evaluation industry is to decide whether the R&D’s scientific research are worthwhile to do, because their sponsors are looking for profit of their own investment. However, most of people still believe that the profit can be achieved only if the research has practical applications. I believe, that theoretical scientific research is not only worthwhile if it only has practical applications for industry and society as a whole. Even tough, applied science seems more realistic for the society compare to basic science; theoretical scientific research.

Firstly, there are slight differences among basic science (theoretical scientific research) and applied science. Basic science is truly motivated by curiosity, while applied science is designed to answer specific questions. Therefore, basic science is more like creating a ‘new method’, while applied science is developing the ‘old method’. By this definition, it will be clear that basic science will lead to satisfy curiosity and fundamental understanding of mankind. In the other hand, applied science will lead to individual products and hence generate economic returns—this is the common reason why does theoretical scientific research is only worthwhile if it has practical applications.

Moreover, the economic argument above stresses applied science as a form of investment for the future, and raises the questions of what the rate of return on such investment is, while people neglect the role of basic science as a creating the ‘new method’.

In conclusion, theoretical scientific research exists because the need of curiosity, while applied science exists because the need of real and useful products. The economic sentiment drive us to concern more about the applied science, but we cant stop and forget the development of basic science as a true and natural habit to understand things around us. Also, basic science offer a lot of benefits such as expanding the knowledge, developing new techniques, training in problem-solving, etc.