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John William Gardner
(8 Oct 1912 - 16 Feb 2002)
American government official who founded Common Cause, the foremost nonpartisan citizen’s lobby, which he chaired (1970-77). He was formerly Secretary of the U.S. Dept. of Health, Educatinon and Welfare (1965-68).
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Science Quotes by John William Gardner (1 quote)
Americans have always believed that—within the law—all kinds of people should be allowed to take the initiative in all kinds of activities. And out of that pluralism has come virtually all of our creativity. Freedom is real only to the extent that there are diverse alternatives.
— John William Gardner
Speech to the Council on Foundations (16 May 1979). In 'Infinite Variety: The Nonprofit Sector', Grant's Magazine (1979), Vol. 2-3, 17.
In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion.
(1987) -- 
