(I was asked if I was a “man of science”, because I studied biochemistry. I said I do my best to be a follower of Christ, and my thoughts wandered.)

It did not occur to the person to ask if I was a scientist - he knew I cook for a living, these days*. How could I be a “man of science” but not a scientist? (*Sorta. Hard to explain what I do, in some ways.)

Am I a, now, a man of cream and sugar? Soon to also be a man of diapers and piggyback rides? A man of reel and gun as time and law permit?

I am a lawyer, and an officer of the court, am I a “man of law”? If so, does that status end if I let my license be inactive?

I have close friends who were once carpenters, and now have construction companies, are they men of hammer and nail?

Why is science seen as anything other than a tool?

Is it because it is, mostly, formally introduced to people by those who know nothing of it?

TMK, all other tools are formally introduced by masters in their use.

Maybe my friends are “men of hammer and nail.”

I still think of myself as a cook, at times. (It’s actually not productive. I achieve more when I think of myself as “CEO.”)

I think folks use it as an alternative for "man of logic/reason". Not sure why.

My response would be "And Art, Engineering, Law, Medicine, and Music."

I have actually studied all of them to one degree or another.

quote:

I cook for a living, these days. (Sorta. Hard to explain what I do, in some ways.)

Oh, "a man of Meth" perhaps?

I mean, my ice cream is good, but it hasn’t been prohibited as an addictive substance…

These days, if I start making ice cream/cookies in the plant, I wreck production, and usually get encouraged to go away. (I never really used some of the equipment we have.)

I still develop the recipes, but other people make the stuff.

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Does anyone else think it’s odd to hear someone called a “man of science”

Just a dramatic figure of speech. I see nothing odd about it. You studied biochem (a science). "Are you a scientist?" sounds boring.

quote:

Originally posted by KSGM:
I think folks use it as an alternative for "man of logic/reason". Not sure why.

Perhaps because that is the scientific outlook. Logic, reason, experimentation, testing, etc.

I think they mean a scientific outlook, generally.

Sure seems like we could use more of it in society at large, and in place like CDC, HHS, NIH, AMA, WHO, blah blah blah.

A man of principles perhaps...science is included in that I would hypothesize

Tell them you are captain of industry.

I'm a man of means by no means.........

It's kinda old romantic/literary talk IMHO. It's up there with Soldier of Fortune, Robber-Baron, etc.

You should have told them, 'I've done enough Science to know that half of it is guesswork and the other second guessing, so I moved into honest work" :-)

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:

quote:

Originally posted by KSGM:
I think folks use it as an alternative for "man of logic/reason". Not sure why.

Perhaps because that is the scientific outlook. Logic, reason, experimentation, testing, etc.

I think they mean a scientific outlook, generally.

I'll build on what JHE was saying.

If you look back at the classic liberal arts degree (not the modern white male bashing, anti-Christian, pro-communist version), they were taught reason and logic. Much of their focus was on philosphy which makes sense since John Locke is widely regarded as the founder of the movement and he was a philosopher.

One of the flaws in the classical liberal arts degree is they took the basic version of science classes and few took the more advanced level courses (i.e. 200, 300, 400). Furthermore, most universities offer the 100 level courses in a basic version and more advanced version. In general, their grades in science would be crap if they had to compete with doctors, engineers, and scientists in 100, 200, 300, or 400 level science classes.

I'm an engineer and I don't know a single engineer, doctor, or scientist who would want to be confused with a liberal arts major. Even though this group of people values reason and logic, they are much more likely to use the Man of science descriptor.

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How could I be a “man of science” but not a scientist?

Easy.

Scientists continue to expand science. However, there are many careers who apply science to modern problems rather than expand it. For example, engineers generally apply the science of physics to a modern set of problems. Another example, doctors generally apply the science of biology to a modern set of problems/diseases.

A Man of the World (seasoned traveler, etc)
A Man of the Cloth (preacher man)

What 12131 said. It's formal and maybe a little outdated but nothing more

quote:

Originally posted by CD228:
I'm a man of means by no means.........

King of the Road.

I like to remind my neuroscience lab managing wife that I was a science major in college. It was PoliSci but it’s in the name and my diploma has the word science on it. So I guess I’m a man of science.

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
I'm an engineer and I don't know a single engineer, doctor, or scientist who would want to be confused with a liberal arts major.

I don't know if you're referring to PhDs or MDs, but many medical doctors got their bachelor's in a liberal arts major. It's not at all uncommon nor unusual.

I don't know about men of science, but I consider myself a man of culture, especially when watching YouTube videos. Any other men of culture in the house?

quote:

Originally posted by iron chef:

quote:

Originally posted by tatortodd:
I'm an engineer and I don't know a single engineer, doctor, or scientist who would want to be confused with a liberal arts major.

I don't know if you're referring to PhDs or MDs, but many medical doctors got their bachelor's in a liberal arts major. It's not at all uncommon nor unusual.

Out of the over a dozen medical doctors I know, all of their undergrads are a bachelor of science, and I can't think of a single one who has a bachelor of arts.