Item 83 - James David Forbes to William Whewell

5 pp

Aberdour by Burntisland, N.B. - Thanks WW for his 'frank and candid' comments on his essay ['The Danger of Superficial Knowledge; an Introductory Lecture to the Course of Natural Philosophy in the University of Education', delivered on November 1 and 2, 1848], but is disappointed that WW 'should dissuade me from expecting or attempting to influence a wider public than that to which my discourse may be addressed, yet I am a little consoled by finding that you admit that Macaulay has set us a puzzle by a few sentences...which surely cannot be unworthy of a refutation, even if an indirect one' [Macaulay's thesis on the absurdity surrounding fears on the danger of superficial learning]. JDF recognises that WW may have reservations about coming into conflict with 'so expert a fencer as Macaulay. This would not in itself greatly influence me, had you been satisfied of my reply being based on right grounds, and stated in an effective manner'. JDF hopes WW will write something on 'this important subject...for it really does appear to me to be in some degree a new theme, particularly worthy of being attended to in universities' [WW, 'On Mr. Macaulay's Praise of Superficial Knowledge', Frazers Magazine, August 1849]. JDF gives his distinction between wisdom and knowledge: 'a wise man will make a little knowledge go further than another who possesses more knowledge'.