Bulletin Autumn‧Winter 2004

advice. Don't. Do not be too busy. That is h a r d. Y ou ma y ma ke mo re mo n ey t h at wa y, b u t it is not a g o od life. S amu el J o h n s o n, t he g r e at lexicographer, w h o created the first satisfactory d i c t i o n a ry of E n g l i sh h a d to leave t he University of Ox f o rd after one year: w h en his father d i ed he could not afford to stay. O x f o r d w a s n o t a v e r y d i s t i n g u i s h ed u n i v e r s i t y i n t h e e i g h t e e n t h c e n t u r y , b u t S a m u e l J o h n s on greatly regretted that his time there h ad been so short, and that he h ad n o degree. Years later, O x f o r d made h i m an honorary doctor, and f r om that day to this, he has been k n o w n as D r. Johnson, a title he h e l d i n the highest esteem. I n his d i c t i o n a r y, w h i c h is n o t w i t h o u t jokes, D r. Johnson h a d de f i ned a l e x i c o g r a p h er as a ‘ h a r m l e ss d r u d g e '. He wa s i n d e ed a b u sy m a n ; b u t n o t too b u s y. H e h a d p l en ty of t i me for the ma r v e l l ous c o n v e r s a t i o n s D r . B o s w e l l recorded. The b r e a d th a nd d e p th of h is interests are a model for all. D r udge ry may h e l p o ne to a d o c t o r a t e, b u t I h o p e a doctorate may be h e ld to declare at least that one is harmless. G.H. Hardy, a Cambridge mathematician of the highest quality, wrote A Mathematician's Apology. I n it he claimed to have the great m e r i t o f h a r m l e s s n e s s, s i n ce as a p a r t i c u l a r ly p u r e m a t h e m a t i c i a n, h is achievements were beauty and knowledge w i t h o u t application. He d i d not, b y the way, t h i nk it possible i n general to be better than harmless. M y first t wo degrees were i n ma t h ema t i c s, s p e c i a l i z i ng i n p u r e mathematics; b u t I t ook the risk of d o i ng harm, for my t h i rd degree, and m y career is, as y o u have heard, i n economics. I n that subject, there is plenty of scope f o r d o i n g h a r m , t h o u g h I c l a i m t h a t amateur economists, a numerous band, do mo re h a r m t h an professionals. M y first paper was w r i t t en w i t h Nicholas Ka l do r, one of the Hunga r i ans — there have been several — w h o became a British Lord. He h a d a r e p u t a t i o n: he w e n t a r o u nd t he w o r l d a d v i s i ng g o v e r nme n ts o n taxes. N o r ma l ly after he h ad persuaded t h em to a d o p t at l e a st s o me of h i s recommendations, s ome t h i ng of a r e v o l u t i on w o u l d f o l l o w . O f c o u r s e, i t is q u i t e pleasing to have an effect o n the wo r l d. It is for y o u to decide, n ow that y o u begin to go out i n the larger wo r l d, just wh at effect y o u w i l l seek: it w i l l probably not be wh at y o u i n t e n d. W h e n I suggest t h at taxes s h o u l d be increased, as t hey s h o u ld i n H o n g Kong, I f i nd that it does not increase o n e 's p o p u l a r i t y. I t c omes as a r e l i e f, therefore, that after a lifetime i n economics, one can be sufficiently valuable to wa r r ant a degree. M y f e l l ow graduates have more clearly deserved it. Thank y ou, The Chinese Un i v e r s i ty of H o n g Kong. …My first two degrees were in mathematics, specializing in pure mathematics; but I took the risk of doing harm, for my third degree, and my career is, as you have heard, in economics. In that subject, there is plenty of scope for doing harm, though I claim that amateur economists, a numerous band, do more harm than professionals. ...It is for you to decide, now that you begin to go out in the larger world, just what effect you will seek: it will probably not be what you intend. " The 61st Congregation 37