Skip to Main Content
PBS News Hour

Why research for the pure sake of knowing is good enough

Scientific inquiry is most fruitful when knowledge is sought for its own sake.

05/25/2016 | Rating NR

PBS News Hour

Why research for the pure sake of knowing is good enough

Clip: 5/25/2016 | 3m 37s

Scientific inquiry is most fruitful when knowledge is sought for its own sake.

Duke University biologist Sheila Patek has faced criticism from lawmakers over her research into mantis shrimp and trap-jaw ants, with some calling her government-funded studies a waste of taxpayer money. But according to Patek, not only do her findings have important practical applications, but scientific inquiry is most fruitful when knowledge is sought for its own sake, not to justify budgets.

05/25/2016 | Rating NR

Problems playing video?   | Closed Captioning Feedback

Report a Problem

Before you submit an error, please consult our Video Help page.

Problems playing video?   | Closed Captioning Feedback

Report a Problem

Before you submit an error, please consult our Video Help page.

Major corporate funding for the PBS News Hour is provided by BDO, BNSF, Consumer Cellular, American Cruise Lines, and Raymond James. Funding for the PBS NewsHour Weekend is provided by...

News Wrap: State Dept. watchdog slams Clinton over emails

Clip: 5/25/2016 | 5m 55s | Leaked audit from the State Department concludes that Hillary Clinton broke federal rules. (5m 55s)

Scientists track health fallout of nuclear bombing of Japan

Clip: 5/25/2016 | 7m 3s | Health effects of Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings still carefully tracked. (7m 3s)

Troubling details emerge in U.S. bombing of Afghan hospital

Clip: 5/25/2016 | 12m 32s | Did Afghan troops manipulate the U.S. into bombing Doctors Without Borders hospital? (12m 32s)

Why Clinton’s email woes are deemed worse than predecessors’

Clip: 5/25/2016 | 5m 33s | Judy Woodruff talks to Rosalind Helderman about the report and and Clinton’s violations. (5m 33s)

Providing Support for PBS.org

Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship

Support for PBS provided by:

Major corporate funding for the PBS News Hour is provided by BDO, BNSF, Consumer Cellular, American Cruise Lines, and Raymond James. Funding for the PBS NewsHour Weekend is provided by...

Sign in with Email

or

Continue with GoogleContinue with FacebookContinue with Apple

By creating an account, you acknowledge that PBS may share your information with our member stations and our respective service providers, and that you have read and understand the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Are you sure you want to remove null from My List?