APR 25 1966

CENTER FOR ADVANCED STUDY IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES

202 Junipero Serra Boulevard * Stanford, California 94305 Telephone (415) 321-2052

April 22, 1966

Dr. Joshua Lederberg

Department of Genetics

Stanford University School of Medicine
Stanford, California

Dear Joshua:

I very much appreciate your gracious note of April 18, together
with the Supplement to Pediatrics for January 1966 containing "The
Study of Child Behavior and Development in Primitive Cultures," by
E. R. Sorenson and D. C. Gajdusek, NINDB. It is an excellent job.
This and similar series are a good beginning for the all important
contrast data required to bring some order into the study of human
signal systems, child-rearing practices, family dynamics, transmission
of tradition over 3-4 generations, development of internal and
external control systems, etc. I am delighted to see this work, for
it increases my hope that serious study of human behavior at the
microlevel will be accelerated in this decade.

I do not recall the occasion for our discussion of G. H. Hardy's
"A Mathematician's Apology" but will hazard the guess that it might
have occurred in association with the imaginative character of
mathematics, and by extension, all science, or perhaps the similarities
between the pure mathematician and the artist-poet. You will recall
our mention of Henri Poincaré (Emil Fisher, Kekule), and Jacques Hadamard
and similar books on creativity.

//50¥ ¢-

I have been stimulated by our conversation to think more on those
aspects of behavioral science which might grow indigenously out of
medical experience. To date, this manifests itself principally in
public health type studies using epidemiologic techniques for prevalence
and incidence studies, social class or occupation and illness. Valuable
as these may be, and I would guess that there are more than about 35
with which I have some acquaintance, they fall short of expectations.
Undoubtedly in the decades to come new explorations in depth and new
correlations will appear, but it seems to me that much more could be done
now in studies of motivation, learning, critical periods of CNS develop-
ment, individual differences, integrated behavior in a social matrix,
Dr. Joshua Lederberg
April 22, 1966

Page 2

psychophysiological correlates, aggression and prejudice if talented
young men and adequate facilities were available. Heretofore, we have
grossly underestimated the magnitude of the task.

I would like to hear your views on potential patterns for improving
investigation in these areas in the medical school and the university.
I have always felt that chemical and population genetics were essential
groundwork. Obviously we cannot merely proliferate conventional courses
in both the "hard" and "soft" sciences even in a six-year medical
curriculum, What areas of investigation deserve high priority in our
effort to understand human behavior? Do you have a prospectus? I would
be pleased to meet with you at your convenience at the Medical School
to learn your current views and explorations.

Cordially,
Henry W. Brosin, M.D.

HWB: jw
P.S. - I have not forgotten your wish for a follow-up on A. N. Whitehead's
“purpose of discovery," but have not had any leisure to search for it.

H-