What RFK Jr. and Big Pharma Have in Common: A Philosophical Essay on Arrowsmith

The essay examines Sinclair Lewis's novel Arrowsmith, highlighting its exploration of two competing ideals in scientific practice: applied science focused on human welfare and pure research committed to internal standards of rigor. It argues that the novel demonstrates how institutional and social pressures distort these ideals, leading to corruption and ethical dilemmas. Through a detailed analysis of characters and institutional settings, the essay reveals that the conflict between these visions of science cannot be resolved within existing social frameworks, emphasizing the costs of pursuing scientific integrity across a lifetime. Ultimately, it positions Arrowsmith as a philosophical critique of the structural limitations that hinder genuine scientific and moral progress.