Because science is the only human activity that is dedicated to actively learning new facts, in order to update or even radically change views based on old assumptions.
When I did my doctoral dissertation research, I had a very clear hypothesis I had worked out over a year, discussing it with a number of people. The data proved me wrong.
I was delighted. Really. Why?
Because it meant my findings were THAT MUCH STRONGER, because they were DESPITE my assumptions, not in line with them.
Upon reflection and more analysis, the findings made more sense than my previous hypothesis, regardless of how logical and reasonable it seemed to be. Logic is not enough.
That sounds strange to most people, but that attitude is TYPICAL among real scientists. And that is why science has had a greater positive impact on lives than ANY other activity known to humanity.
Taken from a post on Facebook:
Why I am a scientist:
Because facts matter.
Because science is built on facts.
Because science is the only human activity that is dedicated to actively learning new facts, in order to update or even radically change views based on old assumptions.
When I did my doctoral dissertation research, I had a very clear hypothesis I had worked out over a year, discussing it with a number of people. The data proved me wrong.
I was delighted. Really. Why?
Because it meant my findings were THAT MUCH STRONGER, because they were DESPITE my assumptions, not in line with them.
Upon reflection and more analysis, the findings made more sense than my previous hypothesis, regardless of how logical and reasonable it seemed to be. Logic is not enough.
That sounds strange to most people, but that attitude is TYPICAL among real scientists. And that is why science has had a greater positive impact on lives than ANY other activity known to humanity.
Because science is what WORKS.
It’s as simple as that.