The study of science for the beauty of the ideas alone. Usually focuses on topics which are of absolutely no practical use to anyone. Except of course that they eventually are.

Science that is not funded by somebody expecting a return on their investment. Usually dealing with the very small, like high-enrgy physics, the very far away, like astronomy, or the very old, like natural history.

Often found in the "Publish or Perish" world of Academia.

Log in or register to write something here or to contact authors.