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Advice for a Young Investigator
An anecdotal guide for the perplexed new investigator as well as a refreshing resource for the old pro, covering everything from valuable personality traits for an investigator to social factors conducive to scientific work.
Santiago Ramón y Cajal was a mythic figure in science. Hailed as the father of modern anatomy and neurobiology, he was largely responsible for the modern conception of the brain. His groundbreaking works were New Ideas on the Structure of the Nervous System and Histology of the Nervous System in Man and Vertebrates. In addition to leaving a legacy of unparalleled scientific research, Cajal sought to educate the novice scientist about how science was done and how he thought it should be done. This recently rediscovered classic, first published in 1897, is an anecdotal guide for the perplexed new investigator as well as a refreshing resource for the old pro.
Cajal was a pragmatist, aware of the pitfalls of being too idealistic--and he had a sense of humor, particularly evident in his diagnoses of various stereotypes of eccentric scientists. The book covers everything from valuable personality traits for an investigator to social factors conducive to scientific work.
Santiago Ramón y Cajal was a mythic figure in science. Hailed as the father of modern anatomy and neurobiology, he was largely responsible for the modern conception of the brain. His groundbreaking works were New Ideas on the Structure of the Nervous System and Histology of the Nervous System in Man and Vertebrates. In addition to leaving a legacy of unparalleled scientific research, Cajal sought to educate the novice scientist about how science was done and how he thought it should be done. This recently rediscovered classic, first published in 1897, is an anecdotal guide for the perplexed new investigator as well as a refreshing resource for the old pro.
Cajal was a pragmatist, aware of the pitfalls of being too idealistic--and he had a sense of humor, particularly evident in his diagnoses of various stereotypes of eccentric scientists. The book covers everything from valuable personality traits for an investigator to social factors conducive to scientific work.
150 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1897
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2233 people want to read
About the author
Santiago Ramón y Cajal
193 books118 followersSantiago Ramón y Cajal ForMemRS (Spanish: [sanˈtjaɣo raˈmon i kaˈxal]; 1 May 1852 – 18 October 1934) was a Spanish pathologist, histologist, neuroscientist and Nobel laureate. His original pioneering investigations of the microscopic structure of the brain have led him to be designated by many as the father of modern neuroscience. His medical artistry was legendary, and hundreds of his drawings illustrating the delicate arborizations of brain cells are still in use for educational and training purposes.
Ramón y Cajal's early work was accomplished at the Universities of Zaragoza and Valencia, where he focused on the pathology of inflammation, the microbiology of cholera, and the structure of Epithelial cells and tissues. It was not until he moved to the University of Barcelona in 1887 that he learned Golgi's silver nitrate preparation and turned his attention to the central nervous system. During this period he made extensive studies of neural material covering many species and most major regions of the brain.
Ramón y Cajal made several major contributions to neuroanatomy. He discovered the axonal growth cone, and experimentally demonstrated that the relationship between nerve cells was not continuous but contiguous. This provided definitive evidence for what would later be known as "neuron doctrine", now widely considered the foundation of modern neuroscience. In debating neural network theories (e.g. neuron theory, reticular theory), Ramón y Cajal was a fierce defender of the neuron theory.
He provided detailed descriptions of cell types associated with neural structures, and produced excellent depictions of structures and their connectivity.
He was an advocate of the existence of dendritic spines, although he did not recognize them as the site of contact from presynaptic cells. He was a proponent of polarization of nerve cell function and his student Rafael Lorente de Nó would continue this study of input/output systems into cable theory and some of the earliest circuit analysis of neural structures.
He discovered a new type of cell, to be named after him: the interstitial cell of Cajal (ICC). This cell is found interleaved among neurons embedded within the smooth muscles lining the gut, serving as the generator and pacemaker of the slow waves of contraction that move material along the gastrointestine, vitally mediating neurotransmission from motor nerves to smooth muscle cells.
In his 1894 Croonian Lecture, he suggested in an extended metaphor that cortical pyramidal cells may become more elaborate with time, as a tree grows and extends its branches. He also devoted a considerable amount of his time to studying hypnosis (which he used to help his wife with birth labor) and parapsychological phenomena, but a book he had written on these areas got lost during the Spanish Civil War.
Cajal received many prizes, distinctions and societal memberships along his scientific career including and honorary Doctorates in Medicine of the Universities of Cambridge and Würzburg and an honorary Doctorate in Philosophy of the Clark University. Nevertheless the most famous distinction he was awarded was the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1906 together with Italian Camillo Golgi "in recognition of their work on the structure of the nervous system". This was seen as quite controversial because Golgi, a stout reticularist, disagreed with Cajal in his view of the neuron doctrine.
The asteroid 117413 Ramonycajal is named in his honor. The Spanish public television filmed a biopic series to commemorate his life.
Ramón y Cajal's early work was accomplished at the Universities of Zaragoza and Valencia, where he focused on the pathology of inflammation, the microbiology of cholera, and the structure of Epithelial cells and tissues. It was not until he moved to the University of Barcelona in 1887 that he learned Golgi's silver nitrate preparation and turned his attention to the central nervous system. During this period he made extensive studies of neural material covering many species and most major regions of the brain.
Ramón y Cajal made several major contributions to neuroanatomy. He discovered the axonal growth cone, and experimentally demonstrated that the relationship between nerve cells was not continuous but contiguous. This provided definitive evidence for what would later be known as "neuron doctrine", now widely considered the foundation of modern neuroscience. In debating neural network theories (e.g. neuron theory, reticular theory), Ramón y Cajal was a fierce defender of the neuron theory.
He provided detailed descriptions of cell types associated with neural structures, and produced excellent depictions of structures and their connectivity.
He was an advocate of the existence of dendritic spines, although he did not recognize them as the site of contact from presynaptic cells. He was a proponent of polarization of nerve cell function and his student Rafael Lorente de Nó would continue this study of input/output systems into cable theory and some of the earliest circuit analysis of neural structures.
He discovered a new type of cell, to be named after him: the interstitial cell of Cajal (ICC). This cell is found interleaved among neurons embedded within the smooth muscles lining the gut, serving as the generator and pacemaker of the slow waves of contraction that move material along the gastrointestine, vitally mediating neurotransmission from motor nerves to smooth muscle cells.
In his 1894 Croonian Lecture, he suggested in an extended metaphor that cortical pyramidal cells may become more elaborate with time, as a tree grows and extends its branches. He also devoted a considerable amount of his time to studying hypnosis (which he used to help his wife with birth labor) and parapsychological phenomena, but a book he had written on these areas got lost during the Spanish Civil War.
Cajal received many prizes, distinctions and societal memberships along his scientific career including and honorary Doctorates in Medicine of the Universities of Cambridge and Würzburg and an honorary Doctorate in Philosophy of the Clark University. Nevertheless the most famous distinction he was awarded was the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1906 together with Italian Camillo Golgi "in recognition of their work on the structure of the nervous system". This was seen as quite controversial because Golgi, a stout reticularist, disagreed with Cajal in his view of the neuron doctrine.
The asteroid 117413 Ramonycajal is named in his honor. The Spanish public television filmed a biopic series to commemorate his life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
January 11, 2016
Back in my ~2nd year of grad school, a mentor that I respected (and still respect) recommended this book to me. I quite happily picked up this 1897 text, eager to glean the wisdom of a Nobel prize-winning neuroscientist. Unfortunately, this turned out to be an almost unbearable read at the time, and when I leafed through it again recently... yep, still unbearable. I'll admit that it contains some helpful guidance about a lot of the psychological pitfalls that a young scientist might come across, even if that guidance is delivered in a condescending tone. (He'd have you think that books and hobbies are dangerously distracting.)
The book's true downfall is when it comes to discussing women. Not women scientists, because those specimens are too rare to warrant much discussion, but women as wives of scientists.
Here's a taste:
A woman loves tradition, adores privilege, pays little attention to justice, and is usually indifferent to all work related to change and progress. In contrast, a man loathes routine and privilege, reveres justice, and in many cases places the cause of humanity above the interests of his family...
[A scientist] will not simply choose a woman, but a woman who belongs to him, whose best dowry will be a sensitive compliance with his wishes, and a warm and full-hearted acceptance of her husband’s view of life.
And this just goes on and on.
It worries me that professors in the 21st century still uncritically suggest this book to their trainees. It just goes to show that being a scientist, even a Nobel prize-winning one, is not synonymous with being forward-thinking. Better to figure things out as you go, rather than to absorb this over-long advice column that propagates notions that ought to be dead by now, but aren't.
The book's true downfall is when it comes to discussing women. Not women scientists, because those specimens are too rare to warrant much discussion, but women as wives of scientists.
Here's a taste:
A woman loves tradition, adores privilege, pays little attention to justice, and is usually indifferent to all work related to change and progress. In contrast, a man loathes routine and privilege, reveres justice, and in many cases places the cause of humanity above the interests of his family...
[A scientist] will not simply choose a woman, but a woman who belongs to him, whose best dowry will be a sensitive compliance with his wishes, and a warm and full-hearted acceptance of her husband’s view of life.
And this just goes on and on.
It worries me that professors in the 21st century still uncritically suggest this book to their trainees. It just goes to show that being a scientist, even a Nobel prize-winning one, is not synonymous with being forward-thinking. Better to figure things out as you go, rather than to absorb this over-long advice column that propagates notions that ought to be dead by now, but aren't.
November 28, 2011
About 1/3 of this book contains useful information (Beginner Traps, How to Read a Monograph, etc). But unfortunately, much of this work is so dated that it's not helpful to the modern would-be investigator. Examples: endless reference to "men of science," talk of the necessity to learn German to succeed, rambling about money and patriotism that doesn't make sense outside of Spain, the chapter on choosing a suitable wife to compliment one's career, and many others.
December 18, 2017
Books, like people, we respect and admire for their good qualities, but we only love them for some of their defects.
Santiago Ramón y Cajal has a fair claim to being the greatest scientist to hail from Spain. I have heard him called the “Darwin of Neuroscience”: his research and discoveries are foundational to our knowledge of the brain. When he won the Nobel Prize in 1906 it was for his work using nerve stains to differentiate neurons. At the time, you see, the existence of nerve cells was still highly controversial; Camillo Golgi, with whom Ramón y Cajal shared the Nobel, was a supporter of the reticular theory, which held that the nervous system was one continuous object.
Aside from being an excellent scientist, Ramón y Cajal was also a man of letters and a passionate teacher. These three aptitudes combined to produce this charming book. Its prosaic title is normally translated into English—inaccurately but more appealingly—as Advice to a Young Investigator. These originated as lectures delivered in the Real Academia de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales in 1897 and published the next year by his colleague. They consist of warm and frank advice to students embarking on a scientific career.
Ramón y Cajal is wonderfully optimistic when it comes to the scientific enterprise. Like the philosopher Susan Haack, he thinks that science follows no special logic or method, but is only based on sharpened common sense. Thus one need not be a genius to make a valuable contribution. Indeed, for him, intelligence is much overrated. Focus, dedication, and perseverance are what really separate the successes from the failures. He goes on to diagnose several infirmities of the will that prevent young and promising students from accomplishing anything in the scientific field. Among these are megalófilos, a type exemplified in the character Casaubon in Middlemarch, who cannot finish taking notes and doing research in time to actually write his book.
While much of Ramón y Cajal’s advice is timeless, this book is also very much of a time and a place. He advises his young students to buy their own equipment and to work at home—something that would be impractical today, not least because the equipment used in laboratories today has grown so much in complexity and expense. He even advises his student on finding the right wife (over-cultured women are to be avoided). More seriously, these lectures are marked by the crisis of 1898, when Spain lost the Spanish-American war and the feeling of cultural degeneration was widespread. Ramón y Cajal is painfully aware that Spain lagged behind the other Western countries in scientific research, and much of these lectures is aimed alleviating at specifically Spanish shortcomings.
In every one of these pages Ramón y Cajal’s fierce dedication to the scientific enterprise, his conviction that science is noble, useful, and necessary, and his desire to see the spirit of inquiry spread far and wide, are expressed with pungent wit that cannot fail to infect the reader with the same zeal and with an admiration for such an exemplary scientist.
March 1, 2016
I would give this 10 stars if I could. Written by the father of neuroscience in 1897. Enjoyable writing (translation); clear, direct, generous, encouraging advice; perfect mix of formal and not-sugar-coated opinion; fun (now) historical current examples. Short but wonderfully parsimonious (several times refers to itself as a pamphlet). Should have read it 11 years ago when I bought it! Excellent.
April 5, 2018
ดีงามแบบควรจัดให้เป็นหนังสืออ่านนอกเวลาของนักศึกษา ป. ตรี เลยด้วยซ้ำ
ซานติเอโก รามอน อี กาฆาล เป็นนักประสาทวิทยาศาสตร์รุ่นบุกเบิก แต่งานชิ้นนี้ไม่ได้ว่าด้วยอะไรที่ซับซ้อนไปกว่าชื่อเรื่อง คือเป็นคำแนะนำที่เขามีต่อผู้ศึกษารุ่นใหม่ (young investigators) ที่ต้องการเข้ามาสู่แวดวงการศึกษาวิทยาศาสตร์
อย่างไรก็ตาม ผมคิดว่าข้อสังเกต รวมถึงคำแนะนำต่างๆ ของกาฆาลค่อนข้างประยุกต์ใช้ได้และเป็นประโยชน์อย่างยิ่งต่อคนรุ่นใหม่ในการศึกษาสาขาอื่นๆ ที่จำเป็นต้องเผชิญกับแอกหลายอย่างไปพร้อมๆ กัน
ตัวอย่างเช่น ด้านหนึ่ง "ไฟ" ในตัวคนรุ่นใหม่เหล่านั้นกำลังมอดดับลงเพราะฝีมือและระบบของคนรุ่นเก่า อีกด้านหนึ่ง "มายา" ของความยิ่งใหญ่ของคนรุ่นเก่าได้บดบังและจำกัดให้งานบางอย่างไม่อาจก้าวหน้าและถูกท้าทายได้จนกว่า "ผู้ยิ่งใหญ่" ผู้นั้นจะตายไปเสียก่อน
แน่นอน กาฆาลไม่ได้มองข้ามปัญหาของความผิดพลาด ความร้อนวิชา (เห่อหมอx) รวมถึงผลพวงที่ตามมาจากการท้าทายสิ่งเก่าโดยที่ตัวเราเองยังไม่มีพื้นฐานที่ดีพอ
แต่กาฆาลเห็นว่าปัญหานั้นเป็นธรรมดาและออกจะเป็นประโยชน์มากกว่าเป็นโทษ เพราะเขาเชื่ออย่างรูโซว่า เราทุกคนต่างต้องเคยชื่นชอบในคำโกหกที่ตัวเองสร้างขึ้น มากกว่าข้อเท็จจริงที่ค้นพบโดยคนอื่นมาแล้วทั้งนั้น
ปัญหาคือเราจะรู้ตัว มองเห็น และกล้าพอจะยอมรับข้อผิดพลาดของตัวเองได้อย่างไรและเมื่อใด
ยิ่งเรามองเห็นปัญหาของตัวเองตั้งแต่วัยเยาว์ ก็ยิ่งมีแนวโน้มที่เราพร้อมจะเปลี่ยนแปลงและยอมรับกับคำโกหก (การตีความผิดๆ) ของตัวเองได้ง่ายกว่า และนั่นเป็นรากฐานที่ดีของการเป็นผู้ศึกษาที่ประสบความสำเร็จในระยะยาว
ผมโควตที่ชอบมาบางส่วน ลองไปหาอ่านกันดูฮะ
"ข้าพเจ้าเชื่อว่าความชื่นชมในผลงานของนักคิดผู้ยิ่งใหญ่อย่างเกินพอดี เป็นหนึ่งในความคิดพื้นเพที่เป็นอันตรายที่สุดต่อปัญญาความรู้ของคนหนุ่มสาว"
"การประเมินคุณค่าสิ่งต่างๆ อย่างเป็นอิสระและเที่ยงธรรมเป็นคุณลักษณะเด่นของผู้ศึกษาที่ประสบความสำเร็จ พวกเขาหาได้เคลิบเคลิ้มหรือหลงใหลได้ปลื้มกับผลงานของผู้ที่มาก่อนและครูบาอาจารย์ของตนจนเกินจริง หากแต่เฝ้าศึกษามันด้วยความระมัดระวังและคอยตั้งคำถาม"
"อย่างไรก็ตาม สิ่งที่เคยชินกันมานมนานมักเปลี่ยนแปลงได้ยากเย็น บ่อยครั้งเหลือเกินที่เรายังคงได้พบว่าศิษยานุศิษย์ของเหล่าผู้มีชื่อเสียงได้สละความสามารถของตนอย่างสูญเปล่าเพื่อปกป้องข้อผิดพลาดของครูบาอาจารย์ของตนเอง แทนที่จะใช้มันเพื่อแก้ไขปัญหาใหม่ๆ"
ซานติเอโก รามอน อี กาฆาล เป็นนักประสาทวิทยาศาสตร์รุ่นบุกเบิก แต่งานชิ้นนี้ไม่ได้ว่าด้วยอะไรที่ซับซ้อนไปกว่าชื่อเรื่อง คือเป็นคำแนะนำที่เขามีต่อผู้ศึกษารุ่นใหม่ (young investigators) ที่ต้องการเข้ามาสู่แวดวงการศึกษาวิทยาศาสตร์
อย่างไรก็ตาม ผมคิดว่าข้อสังเกต รวมถึงคำแนะนำต่างๆ ของกาฆาลค่อนข้างประยุกต์ใช้ได้และเป็นประโยชน์อย่างยิ่งต่อคนรุ่นใหม่ในการศึกษาสาขาอื่นๆ ที่จำเป็นต้องเผชิญกับแอกหลายอย่างไปพร้อมๆ กัน
ตัวอย่างเช่น ด้านหนึ่ง "ไฟ" ในตัวคนรุ่นใหม่เหล่านั้นกำลังมอดดับลงเพราะฝีมือและระบบของคนรุ่นเก่า อีกด้านหนึ่ง "มายา" ของความยิ่งใหญ่ของคนรุ่นเก่าได้บดบังและจำกัดให้งานบางอย่างไม่อาจก้าวหน้าและถูกท้าทายได้จนกว่า "ผู้ยิ่งใหญ่" ผู้นั้นจะตายไปเสียก่อน
แน่นอน กาฆาลไม่ได้มองข้ามปัญหาของความผิดพลาด ความร้อนวิชา (เห่อหมอx) รวมถึงผลพวงที่ตามมาจากการท้าทายสิ่งเก่าโดยที่ตัวเราเองยังไม่มีพื้นฐานที่ดีพอ
แต่กาฆาลเห็นว่าปัญหานั้นเป็นธรรมดาและออกจะเป็นประโยชน์มากกว่าเป็นโทษ เพราะเขาเชื่ออย่างรูโซว่า เราทุกคนต่างต้องเคยชื่นชอบในคำโกหกที่ตัวเองสร้างขึ้น มากกว่าข้อเท็จจริงที่ค้นพบโดยคนอื่นมาแล้วทั้งนั้น
ปัญหาคือเราจะรู้ตัว มองเห็น และกล้าพอจะยอมรับข้อผิดพลาดของตัวเองได้อย่างไรและเมื่อใด
ยิ่งเรามองเห็นปัญหาของตัวเองตั้งแต่วัยเยาว์ ก็ยิ่งมีแนวโน้มที่เราพร้อมจะเปลี่ยนแปลงและยอมรับกับคำโกหก (การตีความผิดๆ) ของตัวเองได้ง่ายกว่า และนั่นเป็นรากฐานที่ดีของการเป็นผู้ศึกษาที่ประสบความสำเร็จในระยะยาว
ผมโควตที่ชอบมาบางส่วน ลองไปหาอ่านกันดูฮะ
"ข้าพเจ้าเชื่อว่าความชื่นชมในผลงานของนักคิดผู้ยิ่งใหญ่อย่างเกินพอดี เป็นหนึ่งในความคิดพื้นเพที่เป็นอันตรายที่สุดต่อปัญญาความรู้ของคนหนุ่มสาว"
"การประเมินคุณค่าสิ่งต่างๆ อย่างเป็นอิสระและเที่ยงธรรมเป็นคุณลักษณะเด่นของผู้ศึกษาที่ประสบความสำเร็จ พวกเขาหาได้เคลิบเคลิ้มหรือหลงใหลได้ปลื้มกับผลงานของผู้ที่มาก่อนและครูบาอาจารย์ของตนจนเกินจริง หากแต่เฝ้าศึกษามันด้วยความระมัดระวังและคอยตั้งคำถาม"
"อย่างไรก็ตาม สิ่งที่เคยชินกันมานมนานมักเปลี่ยนแปลงได้ยากเย็น บ่อยครั้งเหลือเกินที่เรายังคงได้พบว่าศิษยานุศิษย์ของเหล่าผู้มีชื่อเสียงได้สละความสามารถของตนอย่างสูญเปล่าเพื่อปกป้องข้อผิดพลาดของครูบาอาจารย์ของตนเอง แทนที่จะใช้มันเพื่อแก้ไขปัญหาใหม่ๆ"
July 14, 2024
although Santiago’s work is quite outdated and sexist… His ideologies, advice, and discoveries in neurobiology resonate with scientist from the past and now in the present..
fav quotes:
“his mission is to adapt his ideas to those of society; instead, his mission is to adapt those of society to his own.”
“but two emotions must be unusually strong in the great scientific scholar: a devotion to truth and a passion for reputation.”
“ Let books be our masters-why is mentors, serene, no bad temper, and no momentary lapses in ability.”
fav quotes:
“his mission is to adapt his ideas to those of society; instead, his mission is to adapt those of society to his own.”
“but two emotions must be unusually strong in the great scientific scholar: a devotion to truth and a passion for reputation.”
“ Let books be our masters-why is mentors, serene, no bad temper, and no momentary lapses in ability.”
May 3, 2021
I carry immense respect and admiration for Prof. Cajal, however, this book has been a great disappointment. Not just because I feel it's incredibly outdated or that it's specifically targeted at prospective researchers from Spain. Rather, due to the pompous and narrow-minded tone of the book.
The work also feels incredibly hypocritical to me. Cajal mentions that pedanticism has no place in scientific communication, which is true, nevertheless his style is very much pedantic. He showers fatherly-advise on an enthusiastic researching neophyte from the lofty throne he perches himself on, and in doing so he lays out almost unachievable, and, at times, nonsensical standards.
I shouldn't be too harsh on the book, for there are glimmers of beautiful advise which do motivate you to temporarily put the book down and rush to the laboratory and continue working on your research project; the book certainly has that effect. However, I cannot overlook the discriminatory tone Cajal, perhaps subliminally or driven by contemporaneous social conformity, uses against the feminine gender.
Prof. Santiago Ramon y Cajal used to hold a godlike image in my mind and now that I've read this, he appears like an exceptionally talented human with his own flaws and ideology. In that sense, I learned more from this book that Cajal may have originally intended. Peace!
The work also feels incredibly hypocritical to me. Cajal mentions that pedanticism has no place in scientific communication, which is true, nevertheless his style is very much pedantic. He showers fatherly-advise on an enthusiastic researching neophyte from the lofty throne he perches himself on, and in doing so he lays out almost unachievable, and, at times, nonsensical standards.
I shouldn't be too harsh on the book, for there are glimmers of beautiful advise which do motivate you to temporarily put the book down and rush to the laboratory and continue working on your research project; the book certainly has that effect. However, I cannot overlook the discriminatory tone Cajal, perhaps subliminally or driven by contemporaneous social conformity, uses against the feminine gender.
Prof. Santiago Ramon y Cajal used to hold a godlike image in my mind and now that I've read this, he appears like an exceptionally talented human with his own flaws and ideology. In that sense, I learned more from this book that Cajal may have originally intended. Peace!
June 24, 2012
I enjoyed reading this book immensely, although it does need to be taken with a sense of humor in places.
Santiago Ramon y Cajal instructed his followers to build character in order to become fully dedicated to the task of collecting detailed data about nature and fully immersed in a narrow niche that one is studying. He cautioned against getting caught up in useless distractions: excessive theorizing, authority worship, gossip, or relationship troubles.
The following quote sums up a great deal of the value system that Dr. Cajal prescribed to young scientists:
Of course, the chapter on marriage and relationship advice is hilarious:
Santiago Ramon y Cajal instructed his followers to build character in order to become fully dedicated to the task of collecting detailed data about nature and fully immersed in a narrow niche that one is studying. He cautioned against getting caught up in useless distractions: excessive theorizing, authority worship, gossip, or relationship troubles.
The following quote sums up a great deal of the value system that Dr. Cajal prescribed to young scientists:
...a scholar's positive contribution is measured by the sum of the original data that he contributes. Hypotheses come and go but data remain. Theories desert us, while data defend us. They are our true resources, our real estate, and our best pedigree. In the eternal shifting of things, only they will save us from the ravages of time and from the forgetfulness or injustice of men. (Kindle Locations 934-936).
Of course, the chapter on marriage and relationship advice is hilarious:
For the man of science, the aid of a wife is just as necessary in youth as in old age. A woman at one's side may be likened to a knapsack in battle: without the accessory one fights unencumbered, but after the battle, then what? (Kindle Locations 1078-1079)
December 5, 2017
Good book if you are a scientist, just one part is awful which is how to pick a wife........
July 8, 2025
Este libro hay que leerlo teniendo muy en cuenta el contexto histórico. Lo que más me ha llamado la atención es cómo problemas en la ciencia como la precariedad, la fuga de cerebros, etc. estaba ya patente hace 130 años, y aún así, no hemos conseguido solucionar nada.
He disfrutado de algunos consejos de Santiago, pero es cierto que se escribe desde la perspectiva de alguien que ya ha conseguido premios, becas y está cómodo en el laboratorio. Aunque anima a seguir y a no perder la curiosidad y el ímpetu de investigar, es cierto, que en ocasiones es complicado.
Hay muchas cosas que se notan que ya han pasado de moda, como las 10 páginas de la esposa ideal para un investigador, pero aún así creo que si eres investigador es interesante leerlo, y aprender los consejos importantes, aunque no es una lectura fácil.
He disfrutado de algunos consejos de Santiago, pero es cierto que se escribe desde la perspectiva de alguien que ya ha conseguido premios, becas y está cómodo en el laboratorio. Aunque anima a seguir y a no perder la curiosidad y el ímpetu de investigar, es cierto, que en ocasiones es complicado.
Hay muchas cosas que se notan que ya han pasado de moda, como las 10 páginas de la esposa ideal para un investigador, pero aún así creo que si eres investigador es interesante leerlo, y aprender los consejos importantes, aunque no es una lectura fácil.
July 4, 2022
An enlightening book on research. The author introduces the prospects of scientific work through paradigms. It was an educational read.
October 5, 2020
An incredible blend of great scientific advice and questionable social commentary that is hard to come by in the 21st century. Ramón y Cajal exudes genius in the way he thinks about biology – fascinated by the nuances and complexity of the micro-world and able to contextualize their macro-world consequences – while emphasizing diligence, selflessness, and objectivity in scientific pursuits. And while a young investigator would learn a lot about how to think about science appropriately through this quick read, there are many chapters and passages (see Chapter 6: The Investigator and His Family) where he makes extremely broad stereotypes around women that has RBG rolling over in her grave.
Overall, as a current PhD student often struggling to find meaning in my work, after reading this book I found it useful to help me recenter my scientific goals and recommit to the search for objective truth and meaning in this universe, however small and seemingly unimportant the findings result in. I would recommend it for those early on in their careers in the world of scientific academia, and particularly given the current state of science twitter (IYKYK...), hopefully it will be as refreshing for you as it was for me.
Overall, as a current PhD student often struggling to find meaning in my work, after reading this book I found it useful to help me recenter my scientific goals and recommit to the search for objective truth and meaning in this universe, however small and seemingly unimportant the findings result in. I would recommend it for those early on in their careers in the world of scientific academia, and particularly given the current state of science twitter (IYKYK...), hopefully it will be as refreshing for you as it was for me.
September 4, 2017
A good read for grad students of all ages, if a bit dated. Take Ramón y Cajal at his word for developing persistence, original taste, and the importance of knowing others' work, and ignore the bits that hint at isolating yourself. (And laugh at the incongruously sexist "what kind of woman should our young man of research marry? One of our young women of research, if possible!")
March 23, 2021
A must read for anyone just starting with scientific research. I don't agree with some point that he makes, but again, I don't have to accept everything. As far as the advice with regards to research are given, they're invaluable.
This reminded me of Wilson's "Letters to a Young Scientist". You might want to read that too, if you liked this.
This reminded me of Wilson's "Letters to a Young Scientist". You might want to read that too, if you liked this.
May 26, 2017
A trip back in time. It was an interesting read, to see how the relevance of many explicitly mentioned and some implicit social norms reflected in the book have changed yet the principles of progressing science logistically still ring true.
September 25, 2025
Es un verdadero privilegio leer el franco consejo de un premio Nobel, poder apreciar articuladas sus más íntimas creencias sobre lo que hace a un buen científico y a un buen ciudadano. Me quedo con su desdén hacia la flatulencia retórica del filósofo, su crítica a los eruditos y diletantes por fracasados y «engreídos infecundos» y, desde luego, con la tesis fundamental del libro: los mejores se forjan a fuerza de voluntad. En mejor edad, esto me habría salvado de perder el tiempo en naderías y vacuidades. La obra está repleta de citas, anécdotas y observaciones atinadísimas, además de consejos verdaderamente prácticos y útiles (desde cómo elegir a una buena mujer —«no es cosa frívola aquello que, como el amor, decide de la vida»— hasta qué instrumentos y presupuesto debe uno tener para hacer ciencia).
Para meditar —pues no sé si comparto del todo— me llevo sus asertos más políticos y patrióticos.
Para meditar —pues no sé si comparto del todo— me llevo sus asertos más políticos y patrióticos.
February 10, 2015
Right when I joined the lab, I got this book from my PI (principal investigator, or My Boss), who had gotten it from his PI when he first started. I’m ashamed to say that I had never heard of Santiago Ramón y Cajal before this, but apparently he’s one of those big guys in science? This classic guide for new grad students is practical, informative, and often humorous, but probably a bit outdated given the cringe-worthy emphasis on the dominance of men in research and the supporting role of women.
Introduction
Santiago Ramón y Cajal (1852-1934) was a neuroscientist who made great contributions to the scientific community in Spain. He wrote and illustrated the first histology textbook in Spain, wrote many books (including this one!) to aid his students and colleagues in achieving productive scientific careers, won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine along with Camillo Golgi for their findings on the structures of the nervous system, and is deemed the father of neuroscience. This translation is one among many that stemmed from the original Spanish version, but the goal of translators Neely and Larry Swanson for this fourth edition of their translated work is to provide a more modern translation of the original that will remain relevant for students today.
Discussion
Advice for a Young Investigator is actually quite entertaining, given that it was written in the late 1800s when scientists were focused on doing science and not much on anything else. The flowery language that Ramón y Cajal uses amuses me greatly, and I’ve read some of these grandiose passages aloud just for the heck of it and couldn’t help bursting into giggles afterwards. Not to say that what Ramón y Cajal’s written is not inspiring, but it’s definitely just a little behind the times, haha. And some passages, like the following, led to a lot of re-reading and trying to figure out what Ramón y Cajal was trying to say…
Conclusion
Advice for a Young Investigator is a classic read that has been passed down from PI to grad student over the last few decades, and Ramón y Cajal’s wit and humor complemented by his extravagant narrative makes this an interesting read. However, I feel like there must be more recent works that hold the same amount of wisdom for young investigators without being sexist in the process.
Paper Breathers (Book Reviews & Discussions)
Introduction
Santiago Ramón y Cajal (1852-1934) was a neuroscientist who made great contributions to the scientific community in Spain. He wrote and illustrated the first histology textbook in Spain, wrote many books (including this one!) to aid his students and colleagues in achieving productive scientific careers, won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine along with Camillo Golgi for their findings on the structures of the nervous system, and is deemed the father of neuroscience. This translation is one among many that stemmed from the original Spanish version, but the goal of translators Neely and Larry Swanson for this fourth edition of their translated work is to provide a more modern translation of the original that will remain relevant for students today.
Discussion
Advice for a Young Investigator is actually quite entertaining, given that it was written in the late 1800s when scientists were focused on doing science and not much on anything else. The flowery language that Ramón y Cajal uses amuses me greatly, and I’ve read some of these grandiose passages aloud just for the heck of it and couldn’t help bursting into giggles afterwards. Not to say that what Ramón y Cajal’s written is not inspiring, but it’s definitely just a little behind the times, haha. And some passages, like the following, led to a lot of re-reading and trying to figure out what Ramón y Cajal was trying to say…
The cajoleries of vanity, the effusions of instinct, and the caresses of fortune pale before the supreme pleasure of experiencing how the wings of the spirit emerge and develop, and how when working harmoniously we overcome difficulty to dominate and subdue elusive nature.These extremely flowery passages with Ramón y Cajal’s great insights into what qualities an young investigator should have (concentration, passion for reputation, taste for scientific originality) as well as what he terms the “diseases of the will”, or types of people to not end up like: bibliophiles (who focus on reading everything), contemplators (who study nature for “its aesthetic qualities”, megalomaniacs (who plan more than they do), and instrument addicts (self-explanatory). The latter section was, in my opinion, the most interesting part of the book, since it reminded me of a Buzzfeed list. :D Another helpful section was on the stages of scientific research, going from observation to experimentation, making a hypothesis, and proving the hypothesis. I’m constantly surprised by how much politics there is in science nowadays, and that seems to have been the case even back in Ramón y Cajal’s time.
Far from humbling one’s self before the great authorities of science, those beginning research must understand that – by a cruel but inevitable law – their destiny is to grow a little at the expense of the great one’s reputation. It is very common for those beginning their scientific explorations with some success to do so by weakening the pedestal of an historic or contemporary hero.The one section that really put me off about this book was on the social factors that were beneficial to scientific work. Here, Ramón y Cajal talked about the work-life balance (which was fine and dandy and is still discussed today), but also talked a lot about marriage and family life… for the man of science. Obviously, for his time period, women were not “scientists”, but I still cringe whenever I read about “the scholar’s wife.” I guess the advice that Ramón y Cajal provides that’s still relevant today is the following:
As a general rule, we advise the man inclined towards science to seek in the one whom his heart has chosen a compatible psychological profile rather than beauty and wealth. In other words, he should seek feelings, tastes, and tendencies that are to a certain extent complementary to his own.(And then he follows that up with more cringe-worthy characteristics like “a sensitive compliance with his wishes” and a “warm and full-hearted acceptance of her husband’s view of life”, but I’m just going to ignore that part.)
Conclusion
Advice for a Young Investigator is a classic read that has been passed down from PI to grad student over the last few decades, and Ramón y Cajal’s wit and humor complemented by his extravagant narrative makes this an interesting read. However, I feel like there must be more recent works that hold the same amount of wisdom for young investigators without being sexist in the process.
Paper Breathers (Book Reviews & Discussions)
Read
February 28, 2020Libro inspirador desde el punto de vista científico.
En este libro Ramón y Cajal deja entrever que la voluntad y el deseo de hacer ciencia son más importantes que los medios de los que se disponga para ella. Seguramente esta consideración, la cual se repite a menudo a lo largo del libro, la sufrió Cajal en sus propias carnes dados sus orígenes humildes y el atraso científico que reinaba en España durante el siglo XIX (Cajal dedica un extenso capítulo a analizar las razones de este atraso).
Por otra parte, me ha sorprendido el tremendo carácter patriótico de Cajal. No esperaba para nada leer proclamas patrióticas antes de leerlo. Es interesante comprobar cómo Cajal señala al sentimiento patriótico como la primera y más importante razón para hacer ciencia, o lo que es sinónimo para Cajal, para engrandecer la patria. Llamativo y emotivo es el manifiesto españolista con el que concluye el libro.
Mi valoración desde el punto de vista técnico es que el libro es impecable. No obstante, y siempre teniendo en cuenta el contexto y el periodo en el que vivió Cajal, sus opiniones sobre la mujer y su papel en la sociedad, empañan la lectura de este manuscrito.
En este libro Ramón y Cajal deja entrever que la voluntad y el deseo de hacer ciencia son más importantes que los medios de los que se disponga para ella. Seguramente esta consideración, la cual se repite a menudo a lo largo del libro, la sufrió Cajal en sus propias carnes dados sus orígenes humildes y el atraso científico que reinaba en España durante el siglo XIX (Cajal dedica un extenso capítulo a analizar las razones de este atraso).
Por otra parte, me ha sorprendido el tremendo carácter patriótico de Cajal. No esperaba para nada leer proclamas patrióticas antes de leerlo. Es interesante comprobar cómo Cajal señala al sentimiento patriótico como la primera y más importante razón para hacer ciencia, o lo que es sinónimo para Cajal, para engrandecer la patria. Llamativo y emotivo es el manifiesto españolista con el que concluye el libro.
Mi valoración desde el punto de vista técnico es que el libro es impecable. No obstante, y siempre teniendo en cuenta el contexto y el periodo en el que vivió Cajal, sus opiniones sobre la mujer y su papel en la sociedad, empañan la lectura de este manuscrito.
July 11, 2022
This book gives guidance to investigators with valuable personality traits.
December 14, 2024
Interesting discussions
Problematic discourse surrounding women in science - book from 1897 so kind of expected.
Would be interesting to read a newer take on some of the topics
Problematic discourse surrounding women in science - book from 1897 so kind of expected.
Would be interesting to read a newer take on some of the topics
February 20, 2022
This elegant book is optimal for anyone seeking guidance (or a reminder) around how to conduct novel scientific research. Sadly, many (neuro)scientists probably would receive more useful information by consulting this 100 year old text than what is offered by most graduate programs in biological sciences. - it contains a lot of lessons I certainly didn't receive in grad school.
This book has two overarching messages to young scientists. One is explicit: To demonstrate something truly new in science, do not rely on luck. Careful study and diligent, disciplined, focused work at questions within easy reach is rewarding and more sustainable for a long career, even to those of average intelligence. This repeated exercise will help develop your confidence and will help guide you towards testable hypotheses (e.g. real testable models).
On the other hand, one implicit lesson that I enjoyed was about the difference in scientific education between Cajal's time and today. This would be a historical one. The book is riddled with references to Cajal's heroes, both in biology and in other fields. A few of these are names that I only have a vague knowledge about (Newton, Kepler, Galileo, Curie, Mueller), and many more I had never heard of (Virchow, Liebig, Koch, Saint-Hilaire, Davy, Becquerel). The vast knowledge of those that came before him keeps Cajal honest about his own abilities and contributions, and this sets a critical example. Cajal cautions the young investigator against overly worshiping predecessors - however, the message is not to ignore their work. Indeed, he emphasizes that a thorough understanding of one's field is valuable if its gaps and holes are to be filled. It inspired me to continue my efforts to study the great scientific accomplishments - it helps to remember what excellence truly is, and how high we can all try to aim.
The majority of the reviewers here on GR communicate that the content is obvious or self-evident. I would suspect that a few students and likely even professors today would be capable of writing a similar book. The presence of sexist passages seem to justify reviewers' classification of the work as old fashioned, and lead to an apparent dismissal or trivializing of its messages. Despite its flaws as viewed from a modern perspective, the book is very deep and offers true encouragement to wise students.
I look forward to revisiting this book again in the future. It is very rich. Enjoy!
This book has two overarching messages to young scientists. One is explicit: To demonstrate something truly new in science, do not rely on luck. Careful study and diligent, disciplined, focused work at questions within easy reach is rewarding and more sustainable for a long career, even to those of average intelligence. This repeated exercise will help develop your confidence and will help guide you towards testable hypotheses (e.g. real testable models).
On the other hand, one implicit lesson that I enjoyed was about the difference in scientific education between Cajal's time and today. This would be a historical one. The book is riddled with references to Cajal's heroes, both in biology and in other fields. A few of these are names that I only have a vague knowledge about (Newton, Kepler, Galileo, Curie, Mueller), and many more I had never heard of (Virchow, Liebig, Koch, Saint-Hilaire, Davy, Becquerel). The vast knowledge of those that came before him keeps Cajal honest about his own abilities and contributions, and this sets a critical example. Cajal cautions the young investigator against overly worshiping predecessors - however, the message is not to ignore their work. Indeed, he emphasizes that a thorough understanding of one's field is valuable if its gaps and holes are to be filled. It inspired me to continue my efforts to study the great scientific accomplishments - it helps to remember what excellence truly is, and how high we can all try to aim.
The majority of the reviewers here on GR communicate that the content is obvious or self-evident. I would suspect that a few students and likely even professors today would be capable of writing a similar book. The presence of sexist passages seem to justify reviewers' classification of the work as old fashioned, and lead to an apparent dismissal or trivializing of its messages. Despite its flaws as viewed from a modern perspective, the book is very deep and offers true encouragement to wise students.
I look forward to revisiting this book again in the future. It is very rich. Enjoy!
September 7, 2017
This book was written in 1897 while we barely made small step of discoveries on science, specially on his field, neuroscience. He is the father of neuroscience, we should give him the credit he deserved.
In this book, he was like a father, a real sincere professor who try to pass down his manner in science researches. He asked us not to be blindly following the authority, pick up the subject that least people choose, which means the topic that most people think difficult. Think independently, stay humble all the time, focus and strong will. Tolerate the loneliness is the very important key to lead to great research, start from small lab, even suggest students to choose the right kind of wives (this part is really funny). He listed out the "Don't be this kind of researchers..." in a very humorous way, such as some prof profited the student to touch the devices in the lab, even needed to lock up before leaving, they should apply the job of guardian.
Of course, he taught how he did the researches as procedures: Observe, experiment, hypotheses, prove. He also suggested in this book that how senior researchers could train younger newbies.
In this book, he was like a father, a real sincere professor who try to pass down his manner in science researches. He asked us not to be blindly following the authority, pick up the subject that least people choose, which means the topic that most people think difficult. Think independently, stay humble all the time, focus and strong will. Tolerate the loneliness is the very important key to lead to great research, start from small lab, even suggest students to choose the right kind of wives (this part is really funny). He listed out the "Don't be this kind of researchers..." in a very humorous way, such as some prof profited the student to touch the devices in the lab, even needed to lock up before leaving, they should apply the job of guardian.
Of course, he taught how he did the researches as procedures: Observe, experiment, hypotheses, prove. He also suggested in this book that how senior researchers could train younger newbies.
April 15, 2022
Breathtaking.
April 8, 2020
En este libro se puede ver algo de lo mejor y de lo peor que podríamos esperar de España (al menos en lo que respecta a finales del XIX principios del XX). Por una parte tenemos una crítica justificada del sistema universitario e investigador español, en el sentido de una producción de titulados mediocres o que se vuelven mediocres entre maestros que no tienen un verdadero espíritu científico (si se me permite la expresión), de aquellos que no deberían dar tregua a la naturaleza en cuanto a sacarle todos sus secretos sin permitir la pereza propia ni del resto de compañeros de profesión. O bien de egresados prometedores o de talento demostrado para el estudio que marchan hacia lo privado y el beneficio o porque así prefieren usar su talento o porque simplemente entre los objetivos de su país no está aprovechar su talento y los deja fuera. Esta es una de las causas del atraso español en cuanto al presente que describe Cajal. Otras tantas causas del atraso español en ciencia, o el atraso español en general en comparación con el resto del mundo también desfilan de mano de aquellos que pensaron o que fueron traídos a prestar su pensamiento de nuevo tras el Desastre del 98. Es mucho lo que habría que arreglar para lo que espera un Cajal, y por tanto el esfuerzo requerido sería enorme y las esperanzas en el rendimiento pequeñas dados los precedentes. Y aquí viene la parte mejor. Santiago no deja de arengar a sus compatriotas para que den lo mejor de sí mismo en el campo científico, motor de progreso de los países según se puede ver en los países más avanzados y en los que más habían avanzado en el pasado "reciente" de Cajal (EEUU, Japón, etc.). Llena páginas para advertir a los jóvenes científicos de los peligros de caer en ciertos arquetipos como el bibliófilo y otros, que o no producen ciencia, o no producen nada de valor. Disletantismo de distinto tipo que observa tanto en jóvenes como en catedráticos. Páginas también para dar consejos de cómo iniciar investigación en un contexto en el que se cuente con pocos recursos materiales y algunas cargas y además no se tenga demasiado talento. El optimismo que desprende de lo que se puede conseguir con mucho trabajo es comparable al grado exigencia que muestra. El país y el científico no debe de contar con la suerte de cuna, genética o material, sino que debe confiar con el trabajo. Y dado el retraso español la cantidad de trabajo sería industrial. Conocer en profundidad los métodos experimentales modernos será imprescindible y mejor si es de primera mano o a través de monografías elaboradas por expertos, y no por la lectura de manuales. Es preferible hacer un intento y hallar algo ya descubierto, o empezar por un sendero ya trazado (pero puntero), que no iniciar nada hasta que no se tenga un chispazo de inspiración, una gran teoría revolucionaria, etc. El dominio de las técnicas es crucial para el científico (recordemos el ejemplo personal de Cajal con la tintura (Golgi) de las células nerviosas, una técnica reciente en su época que también usaría el también Nobel Nansen, también el dibujo en medicina, etc.). Ya sea en espíritu o en directrices concretas creo que dio aquí muy buenos consejos y si bien algunos están muy desactualizados, como algunos insisten en otras reseñas del libro, eso no impide al lector usar su propia cabeza para establecer paralelismos con las dificultades actuales algunas de las cuales no han cambiado tanto salvo por lo medios técnicos. Otros obviamente habría que abandonarlos.
El libro sin embargo tiene unos defectos propios de la persona de Santiago y también de la época. Dos serían destacables: el patriotismo exagerado y el machismo recalcitrante. Lo primero podría quedar englobado en la disculpa que hace en la último prólogo escrito por Cajal y que aparece en esta edición (Prólogo a la 3ª edición) que unos 15 años después de la publicación del libro en un tono bastante más calmado reconoce que habría escrito las cosas de forma diferente. El grado en que este patriotismo, algo mal templado según se mire, quedaría modificado no lo sé. Podría aparecer más calmado simplemente en cuanto a su visión hipercrítica de compañeros de profesión y del estado del país y sus políticos. No lo sé. El machismo por otra parte no tiene disculpa y va totalmente de la mano de la defensa de una España católica (aunque con una Iglesia moderna que abrazara el conocimiento) y potente que debería ser un centro generador de cultura científica y de todo tipo (frente a lo hereje o lo excesivo de otras prácticas extranjeras). Esto ya de por sí es bastante criticable y propio de una época que no querríamos revivir tras las dos guerras mundiales en Europa, los fascismos, etc. y los gobiernos y partidos de corte totalitario y eurófobos que vemos en distintos países hoy día.
El ánimo por levantarse tras una guerra perdida, fracasos históricos acumulados, el optimismo y el ánimo transmitido a los jóvenes fundado en trabajo y paciencia pero que exige a los políticos medios eficaces para que no sea un sacrificio echado a perder, un martirio para los científicos jóvenes, advertencias y consejos concretos y de primera mano de alguien que conoce creo que siguen siendo valiosísimos hoy en día. Aunque la depredación del trabajo llevada a cabo por revistas modernas, el uso universal del inglés en ciencia, la informática y accesibilidad a muchísimas fuentes, la problemática de la masificación de las universidades, la tecnociencia del siglo XX, sus peligros, etc. etc. etc. y no acabaría uno de contar, no está previsto en este libro merece la pena tenerlo en cuenta para la "psicología del día a día" del investigador o estudiante. O eso espero.
Se podría escribir mucho sobre lo que hay en el libro y desde distintas ópticas, espero que lo sigan leyendo mis compañeros y dejen comentarios útiles o para polémica en sus reseñas en español ya que aquí no veo ni una sola y la verdad que es triste.
El libro sin embargo tiene unos defectos propios de la persona de Santiago y también de la época. Dos serían destacables: el patriotismo exagerado y el machismo recalcitrante. Lo primero podría quedar englobado en la disculpa que hace en la último prólogo escrito por Cajal y que aparece en esta edición (Prólogo a la 3ª edición) que unos 15 años después de la publicación del libro en un tono bastante más calmado reconoce que habría escrito las cosas de forma diferente. El grado en que este patriotismo, algo mal templado según se mire, quedaría modificado no lo sé. Podría aparecer más calmado simplemente en cuanto a su visión hipercrítica de compañeros de profesión y del estado del país y sus políticos. No lo sé. El machismo por otra parte no tiene disculpa y va totalmente de la mano de la defensa de una España católica (aunque con una Iglesia moderna que abrazara el conocimiento) y potente que debería ser un centro generador de cultura científica y de todo tipo (frente a lo hereje o lo excesivo de otras prácticas extranjeras). Esto ya de por sí es bastante criticable y propio de una época que no querríamos revivir tras las dos guerras mundiales en Europa, los fascismos, etc. y los gobiernos y partidos de corte totalitario y eurófobos que vemos en distintos países hoy día.
El ánimo por levantarse tras una guerra perdida, fracasos históricos acumulados, el optimismo y el ánimo transmitido a los jóvenes fundado en trabajo y paciencia pero que exige a los políticos medios eficaces para que no sea un sacrificio echado a perder, un martirio para los científicos jóvenes, advertencias y consejos concretos y de primera mano de alguien que conoce creo que siguen siendo valiosísimos hoy en día. Aunque la depredación del trabajo llevada a cabo por revistas modernas, el uso universal del inglés en ciencia, la informática y accesibilidad a muchísimas fuentes, la problemática de la masificación de las universidades, la tecnociencia del siglo XX, sus peligros, etc. etc. etc. y no acabaría uno de contar, no está previsto en este libro merece la pena tenerlo en cuenta para la "psicología del día a día" del investigador o estudiante. O eso espero.
Se podría escribir mucho sobre lo que hay en el libro y desde distintas ópticas, espero que lo sigan leyendo mis compañeros y dejen comentarios útiles o para polémica en sus reseñas en español ya que aquí no veo ni una sola y la verdad que es triste.
December 10, 2010
Recommended by my scientific ethics professor. Ramon y Cajal is a famous Spanish neuroscientist, often considered the father of modern neurobiology. This little book contains his advice for young scientists. It's an interesting read, though more as a snapshot of the history and sociology of science than as a source of actual career advice. Some of the advice is very interesting, but much more of it is questionable, dated, or obvious. The prose is also a little dry; I suspect it reads better in Spanish.
July 7, 2019
Valuable, timeless advice from a man who's the Godfather of neuroscience.
Scientists are just people just you and It's all about how hard you work even with the minimum tools available you can still pursue science and discovery
Scientists are just people just you and It's all about how hard you work even with the minimum tools available you can still pursue science and discovery
October 8, 2017
Un libro sobre cómo ser un buen investigador. Excelente material.
July 27, 2024
Θα μπορούσε κανείς να χωρίσει αυτό το βιβλίο σε δύο θεματικές ενότητες: τις συμβουλές προς τους επιστήμονες και τις απόψεις του συγγραφέα για την κατάσταση της χώρας του εκείνη την εποχή - κυρίως στον ακαδημαϊκό χώρο.
Ο Cajal παραθέτει αρκετές οδηγίες για να καθηδηγήσει τα νέα μυαλά στην έρευνα και δίνει την εντύπωση ενός συλλογικού-εθνικού μέντορα. Τα αρχικά κεφάλαια έως και τα 2/3 του βιβλίου τα βρήκα λίγο πιο ενδιαφέροντα ενώ τα τελευταία ήταν κάπως εκτός θέματος αν κρίνω από τον τίτλο του. Το περιεχόμενο σίγουρα έχει αξία από ιστορική άποψη, καθώς δίνει το κοινωνικό πλαίσιο της εποχής πάνω σε διάφορα θέματα, αλλά όχι τόσο από πρακτική. Οι περισσότερες πληροφορίες πάνω στην έρευνα- τουλάχιστον για εμένα - είναι γνωστές και μάλιστα έχουν εξελιχθεί με το πέρασμα των χρόνων. Ωστόσο υπήρχαν ορισμένες σημαντικές παρατηρήσεις σε κάποια σημεία και ο Cajal φαίνεται να ήταν μπροστά από την εποχή του σε ό,τι αφορά τα ακαδημαϊκά αλλά και πολιτικά θέματα (π.χ. αναγνωρίζοντας την ανάγκη για εξωστρέφεια των πανεπιστημίων, τους περιορισμούς και τις συνέπειες της θρησκοληψίας στη χώρα του κ.α.)
Παρ'όλα αυτά, δεν μπορώ να πω ότι μου ήταν ευχάριστη η ανάγνωση. Το κείμενο σε αρκετά σημεία μου φάνηκε κουραστικό λόγω του μακροπερίοδου λόγου και του λυρικού ύφους (που άλλοτε βελτίωνε την έκφραση και άλλοτε όχι). Επίσης, υπάρχουν στοιχεία που επαναλαμβάνονται συχνά και επειδή όπως είπα, δεν αναφέρεται κάτι εντελώς καινούριο, απλά περνούσα τις σελίδες χωρίς ενδιαφέρον. Σίγουρα βοήθησε η καλή μετάφραση και επιμέλεια του βιβλίου, αλλά συνολικά, δεν μπόρεσε να μου κινήσει το ενδιαφέρον ώστε να έχω περιέργεια για το τι θα διαβάσω στις επόμενες σελίδες ή για να εκτιμήσω τους συλλογισμούς του συγγραφέα.
Ο Cajal παραθέτει αρκετές οδηγίες για να καθηδηγήσει τα νέα μυαλά στην έρευνα και δίνει την εντύπωση ενός συλλογικού-εθνικού μέντορα. Τα αρχικά κεφάλαια έως και τα 2/3 του βιβλίου τα βρήκα λίγο πιο ενδιαφέροντα ενώ τα τελευταία ήταν κάπως εκτός θέματος αν κρίνω από τον τίτλο του. Το περιεχόμενο σίγουρα έχει αξία από ιστορική άποψη, καθώς δίνει το κοινωνικό πλαίσιο της εποχής πάνω σε διάφορα θέματα, αλλά όχι τόσο από πρακτική. Οι περισσότερες πληροφορίες πάνω στην έρευνα- τουλάχιστον για εμένα - είναι γνωστές και μάλιστα έχουν εξελιχθεί με το πέρασμα των χρόνων. Ωστόσο υπήρχαν ορισμένες σημαντικές παρατηρήσεις σε κάποια σημεία και ο Cajal φαίνεται να ήταν μπροστά από την εποχή του σε ό,τι αφορά τα ακαδημαϊκά αλλά και πολιτικά θέματα (π.χ. αναγνωρίζοντας την ανάγκη για εξωστρέφεια των πανεπιστημίων, τους περιορισμούς και τις συνέπειες της θρησκοληψίας στη χώρα του κ.α.)
Παρ'όλα αυτά, δεν μπορώ να πω ότι μου ήταν ευχάριστη η ανάγνωση. Το κείμενο σε αρκετά σημεία μου φάνηκε κουραστικό λόγω του μακροπερίοδου λόγου και του λυρικού ύφους (που άλλοτε βελτίωνε την έκφραση και άλλοτε όχι). Επίσης, υπάρχουν στοιχεία που επαναλαμβάνονται συχνά και επειδή όπως είπα, δεν αναφέρεται κάτι εντελώς καινούριο, απλά περνούσα τις σελίδες χωρίς ενδιαφέρον. Σίγουρα βοήθησε η καλή μετάφραση και επιμέλεια του βιβλίου, αλλά συνολικά, δεν μπόρεσε να μου κινήσει το ενδιαφέρον ώστε να έχω περιέργεια για το τι θα διαβάσω στις επόμενες σελίδες ή για να εκτιμήσω τους συλλογισμούς του συγγραφέα.
December 29, 2022
This book advises the reader on issues that one may face in science and research.
It is interesting to hear it personally from a prominent scientist, commenting on the society they were in at the time and their thoughts on doing good science, debunking mental traps, mental qualities, diseases of the will, personalities in science, social aspects and how to conduct research. It is also especially interesting hearing it from a Spanish scientist, who at the time, was in a less dominant intellectual country, and hearing his advice on being a scientist and overcoming issues. It makes the profession much less daunting hearing it personally as if in a conversation from him.
It reminds of the rewarding aspects of research, importance of data over theory, originality, action and mastery of technique. Start with small, solvable problems.
Many of his statements still ring true, though I think science has become much more complex than his times.
Though in his book, the scientists are all men, and I am glad that has changed since. The views about choosing a wife is outdated.
Time took: approximately 8 hours?
It is interesting to hear it personally from a prominent scientist, commenting on the society they were in at the time and their thoughts on doing good science, debunking mental traps, mental qualities, diseases of the will, personalities in science, social aspects and how to conduct research. It is also especially interesting hearing it from a Spanish scientist, who at the time, was in a less dominant intellectual country, and hearing his advice on being a scientist and overcoming issues. It makes the profession much less daunting hearing it personally as if in a conversation from him.
It reminds of the rewarding aspects of research, importance of data over theory, originality, action and mastery of technique. Start with small, solvable problems.
Many of his statements still ring true, though I think science has become much more complex than his times.
Though in his book, the scientists are all men, and I am glad that has changed since. The views about choosing a wife is outdated.
Time took: approximately 8 hours?
October 21, 2022
afúuuuuu
me emplearía bien a rajar de esta lectura, sobre todo por haberla leído estando en una guía docente (lo cual tiene su sentido dentro de qué menesteres) pero madre mía
es muuuuuy repetitivo en muchas de sus ideas (y mira que algunas son buenas como sus teorías de por qué del atraso científico español en la época), pero supongo que te puede valer si lo que necesitas es coaching emocional en una investigación científica
sino, ni por esas
a mitad del libro hay una parte terrible en la que hace una lista, como si se trataran de vagos y maleantes, de todos los tipos de investigadores que a él le parece que hay que enmendar de alguna manera para que fueran útiles
también enumera tipos de mujeres que podrían ser más o menos adecuadas casanderas para el investigador
(me pregunto si con la obsesión de clasificar rasgos personales no hubiera creído bien este hombre en el horóscopo)
no sé, no creo que sea muy útil su lectura a menos de como una mera curiosidad histórica, sobre todo si eres mujer/racializadx o esperas encontrar algo más
me emplearía bien a rajar de esta lectura, sobre todo por haberla leído estando en una guía docente (lo cual tiene su sentido dentro de qué menesteres) pero madre mía
es muuuuuy repetitivo en muchas de sus ideas (y mira que algunas son buenas como sus teorías de por qué del atraso científico español en la época), pero supongo que te puede valer si lo que necesitas es coaching emocional en una investigación científica
sino, ni por esas
a mitad del libro hay una parte terrible en la que hace una lista, como si se trataran de vagos y maleantes, de todos los tipos de investigadores que a él le parece que hay que enmendar de alguna manera para que fueran útiles
también enumera tipos de mujeres que podrían ser más o menos adecuadas casanderas para el investigador
(me pregunto si con la obsesión de clasificar rasgos personales no hubiera creído bien este hombre en el horóscopo)
no sé, no creo que sea muy útil su lectura a menos de como una mera curiosidad histórica, sobre todo si eres mujer/racializadx o esperas encontrar algo más
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