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At bottom, that which has kept men back most,
is an æsthetic taste: they believed in the pictu-
resque effect of truth; what they demanded of the
scientist was, that he should make a strong appeal
to their imagination.

Word:

aesthetic

Question:

Why did an aesthetic taste in the pursuit of truth hinder men from progressing in scientific understanding?

Answer (optional):

An aesthetic taste in the pursuit of truth hindered men from progressing in scientific understanding because they sought the picturesque or imaginative effect of truth rather than objective, cautious, and distrustful approaches. This focus on the aesthetic appeal prevented people from appreciating the value of scientific methods and hypotheses, as they were often considered controversial and against religious belief. As a result, individuals pursuing scientific understanding were seen as enemies of religious ideals, and their methods and ideas were discredited, slowing scientific progress.