Scientific Knowledge To The Public

The Royal Institute of Great Britain (www.rigb.org), founded in 1799, is the   oldest, and one of the most prestigious, scientific research institutions in   the world. Interestingly, part of its original mission was the dissemination   of scientific knowledge to the public, a mission that was occasionally   challenged by smaller museums catering to a broader audience.    Reflecting upon the course text and the article by Rhys Morus, evaluate the   cultural importance of scientific display during the late eighteenth and   early nineteenth centuries. What does this tell us about science’s cultural,   social, and experimental “place” within European culture? What does this tell   us about scientific practice? How is this different from the role of science   today?