The Philosopher
Linus Pauling
The face
The background
- Nationality:
- American
- Branchs:
- Quantum chemistry, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Crystallography, Peace activism, Nuclear disarmament, Orthomolecular medicine, Vitamin C advocacy
- Period:
- 20th century
The synopsis
Linus Carl Pauling was an American chemist, biochemist, author, educator, and activist. He is the only person to have won two unshared Nobel Prizes, receiving the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1954 for his research into the nature of the chemical bond and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1962 for his campaign against nuclear weapons. He is one of only five individuals to have received more than one Nobel Prize, and the only person to have been awarded two unshared Nobel Prizes. Pauling was one of the founders of the fields of quantum chemistry and molecular biology. His contributions to the theory of the chemical bond include the concept of orbital hybridization and the first accurate scale of electronegativities of the elements. Pauling also worked on the structures of biological molecules, showing the importance of the alpha helix and beta sheet in protein secondary structure. His discoveries inspired the work of Watson, Crick, Franklin, and Wilkins on the structure of DNA. In his later years, he promoted nuclear disarmament, orthomolecular medicine, megavitamin therapy, and dietary supplements, especially ascorbic acid (vitamin C).
The works
The Nature of the Chemical Bond and the Structure of Molecules and Crystals
Vitamin C and the Common Cold
How to Live Longer and Feel Better
No more war!
Sickle Cell Anemia, a Molecular Disease
The quotes
If you take a reasonable amount of vitamin C regularly, the incidence of the common cold goes down. If you get a cold and start immediately, as soon as you start sneezing and sniffling, the cold just doesn't get going.
Satisfaction of one's curiosity is one of the greatest sources of happiness in life.
Everyone should know that most cancer research is largely a fraud, and that the major cancer research organizations are derelict in their duties to the people who support them.
I hear from patients who say their doctor said, 'If you want to take Vitamin C, go ahead and do it. It won't harm you, and it may do you some good.' More and more physicians are getting convinced about the value of large doses of Vitamin C.
I believe that you can, by taking some simple and inexpensive measures, lead a longer life and extend your years of well-being. My most important recommendation is that you take vitamins every day in optimum amounts to supplement the vitamins that you receive in your food.
Science is the search for truth, that is the effort to understand the world: it involves the rejection of bias, of dogma, of revelation, but not the rejection of morality.
The best way to have a good idea is to have a lot of ideas.
The way to get good ideas is to get lots of ideas and throw the bad ones away.
I believe all complicated phenomena can be explained by simpler scientific principles.
No evidence compels the conclusion that the minimum required intake of any vitamin comes close to the optimum intake that sustains good health.
By the proper intakes of vitamins and other nutrients and by following a few other healthful practices from youth or middle age on, you can, I believe, extend your life and years of well-being by twenty-five or even thirty-five years.
Facts are the air of scientists. Without them you can never fly.
Nations keep agreements, keep their treaties so long as they continue to do them good.