We still don't understand completely the structure of the gene. Yet I don't think that once we understand the structure of the gene we shall see the meaning of man, because the genetic content of a mouse and a man are very similar. Therefore the non-genetic part of biology is very important. (p 63)

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The aim of traditional science was to preserve science against the society. Now it is, very different. Today, we need science to preserve our culture, our vegetation, to protect Nature. In addition I would say there is no fundamental science. Every scientific work may be as fundamental as the other. (p 63)

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It is still very surprising because our universe seems to evolve more rapidly with acceleration as predicted by Einstein's simple cosmological model. Nobody knows ho to unify gravitation with the other forces and with quantum mechanics....Our universe is far from equilibrium, nonlinear and full of irreversible processes. (p.65)

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The scientists have the right to give their opinions like other people. Scientists have no ethical privilege. I would like to emphasize that ethics and science have come closer than ever, because science has come closer to society. (p. 65/66)

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But the faact that we have a probabilistic world means that we have not such a transparent world as Newton's world.....If the universe is a deterministic machine, then you need some outside spirit of God to make it work. But if it is self-organized, it may be a non-equilibrium world which can fellow its own plans, there is no need for an outside force or plan. (p 66)
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I would say that European civilization is characterized by a large number of bifurcations, European music is changing every 100 years while Chinese music has remained much more traditional, there is not much change. In this sense I would say that Greek civilization has been a model. Consider, for example, the transition from the Archaic civilization to the Hellenistic civilization from 750 to 350 BC. You have an enormous change. Look what happened during the same period in China or in Egypt. European civilization is very flexible and creative. I would not like to exaggerate, because the Chinese produced many magnificent things but then to some extent they stopped, while, in Europe, things have been going on and on. I was always very impressed by the idea of Democracy which introduces the value of the individual in society. That is characteristic for Greece and to some extent for Western Europe in general. (p.67)