Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition. – Adam Smith
Not exactly humanity’s best moment. Superstition, enthusiasm, and emotion superseded science and logic
What does that mean?
For me, this quote speaks of science and it’s role in helping keep humanity sane. Before science was established as a proper method to use when approaching life’s mysteries, enthusiasm and superstition (as well as emotional excess) often ruled the day. This lead to such human tragedies as witch hunts and worse.
Humans have always been enthusiastic and emotional creatures, and superstitions flow naturally when emotion meets unfettered intelligence. Science, and the principles thereof, help reduce the enthusiasm, help hold the emotions at bay, and help banish superstitions with logic.
Why is science (and the scientific method) important?
Science, done properly, is completely free of emotion, enthusiasm, and superstitions. However emotion has always been part of science, for example, the Pildown Man. Besides the egos of the scientists, emotion can enter science from other directions.
Take cloning as an example. It has ethical implications, but in science there is no place for emotion. You deal with the ethical questions in a scientific or logical method. Unfortunately, it isn’t often done that way.
Enthusiasm sometimes clouds the judgement, and that’s not a good mix with science. There are plenty of examples in recent years, including that of cold fusion. Enthusiasm for the process is good, but replacing science with enthusiasm is not.
Fortunately, there is little superstition left in the realm of science at least as far as I have seen. I’ll give people a little latitude for pre-experiment rituals, but there seems to be little true superstition left.
Where can I apply this in my life?
I use the scientific method sometimes when I am examining some of the more important (and large) aspects of my life. In particular I use the following steps, in order:
- Careful observation : What just happened? I try to notice the details and be as precise as I can be in my observation. I try not to let my opinions or desire for a specific outcome color my observations.
- Taking and reviewing of notes : I write down what I observed in as unbiased a manner as I can. This is part of my weekly review process, where I note what happened this week and look back on what happened in prior weeks.
- Thoughtful analysis : Trying to keep preconceived notions out of my head and staying as open to possibilities as my frail humanity allows, I start to string together ideas that explain my observations.
- Forming a thesis : I try to sift through the ideas and come up with something that can explain as much of the observed data as possible. It isn’t always possible to explain all, as sometimes we are insufficiently objective in observation, right?
- Testing the thesis : I try to challenge the thesis head on, or at least pick on some of the weaker areas, or places where the data seems to be not quite right. This, hopefully, allows me to refine the observed data, and come up with a better idea next time around (see the next step).
- Repeating : I start again from the top and observe the results of the test, and then follow each step in turn, repeating and repeating until I get something that stands up to the tests.
Now, that’s overkill if you’re looking at your tendency to eat too many chips while watching the big game. However, if you’re having an allergic reaction to something in one of the foods you eat, it could be just the right thing. Did they change the sweetener in your diet soda (again), or was it the kind of oil used to cook the chips?
There are times when intuition cuts right through and you test a hunch. If it’s right, you move forward, but if not, I hope you observed what happened, and are prepared to learn from the experience (which is really what the scientific method is all about).
This method is just another tool in the toolbox. Just as there are tack hammers and sledge hammers, every tool has a proper application. Your personality will also have some impact on when (if ever) you use this tool. Some people seem ill suited to the rigors of this form of analysis, while others (myself included) thrive on it.
What is important, in my opinion, is that we take the time to minimize our emotions, our reign in our enthusiasm, and end our superstitions when preparing to make a decision. Science is all about accuracy and precision, while the others are just the opposite.
From: Twitter, @NormanAHood
confirmed at : http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/adamsmith118634.html
Image by deflam
Happy Birthday to Adam Smith, born 5 June, 1723.
