The first thing for a student of Physics to do is to ask himself – “what exactly is the meaning of the word ‘Physics’?” And who is a physicist? That will lead you to answer that Physics means the study of nature and hence a physicist is essentially a student of nature. When you are learning Physics, you are probing into the deep mysteries of the working of nature. And it is in the depth of nature, that you can truly understand its complexity and also realize the beauty within this complexity.
Step by step you start to probe into the different aspects of nature. In Mechanics, you learn about the macroscopic worldview. Then you dwell into deeper subjects until you realize that this whole universe is made of atoms. Probe still deeper and then you find that atoms are made of several more things. Then try to understand how these things behave, what are their characteristics and then you realize the true complexity of nature. You must stop by to marvel nature, as we know it and wonder how these things – the particles jiggle in such beautiful synchronization to produce the colors, sounds and even life.
Even in the ancient science of Astronomy, we realize the insignificant position that we have in this universe. Considering that Einstein is right and that we really cannot exceed the speed of light we are then left with the conclusion that we seemingly cannot cross even our own Solar System. Why then, should we be full of pride even after realizing that we are so insignificant? I do not understand. I don’t want to talk about the layman but I want to talk about a physicist, someone who understands how truly beautiful nature really is.
So, what I feel is that a person, no matter how much he has studied has no right to call himself as a man of science if he cannot humble down in front of nature. A person who is into science must also have humility provided he has understood science truly.