What Scientists Believe - Episode 1

Philosopher Stephen Webster investigates the links between scientists' personal beliefs and their scientific work. He wants to know how an individual scientist's personal, psychological and intellectual qualities map onto their chosen area of science. How much of a scientist's personality is reflected in their work? Should subjective private beliefs be a part of objective scientific outcomes? What happens if tensions develop between a scientist's beliefs and the formal demands of science? If tensions arise, how can they be resolved? Stephen meets medical consultant Philip Kilner. Philip first trained as a doctor and then left medicine and retrained as a sculptor, concentrating on water sculptures and fluid dynamics. He then returned to medicine. Philip is now a Consultant and Reader in Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London. One of his water sculptures, Single Cavity Flowform, is on display at the hospital. Philip talks to Stephen about the combination of artistic and scientific insights help him interpret images of the heart.