As has been already mentioned, science of old was largely funded by individuals; scientists (or ‘natural philosophers’) were largely patrons of wealthy individuals. Presumably, this was because supporting an individual provides a good emotional fit (and thus serves as a good signal of status) in a way that funding pure research does not.
As has been already mentioned, science of old was largely funded by individuals; scientists (or ‘natural philosophers’) were largely patrons of wealthy individuals. Presumably, this was because supporting an individual provides a good emotional fit (and thus serves as a good signal of status) in a way that funding pure research does not.