Chapter 14 - The discovery of ignorance Flashcards
Summary
The Discovery of Ignorance
A Shift in the Human Experience
A comparison between the epochs of 1000 AD and 1500 AD and 1500 AD and 2000 AD reflects the sheer amount of change humanity has experienced in the recent centuries. The leaps in population growth, wealth generation, and technological advancements have been staggering, predominantly because of the advent of science. The powerful weapons and microscopic understanding of our world today would have seemed magical to a human from 1500.
The Emergence of the Scientific Method
Previously, rulers invested in religion and priesthood to maintain social order rather than improve it. However, the modern era recognizes science as the key to improving human lives. The scientific method is built upon acknowledging our ignorance, constructing theories from our observations, and continuously striving for innovation. The approach to ignorance, in particular, has fundamentally changed.
In the past, individuals could be ignorant, but wisdom and religious scriptures were considered infallible. However, science builds upon the premise of ignorance, constantly questioning existing knowledge and aiming for better understanding.
The Challenges of Questioning Shared Myths
When shared myths such as religion or nationalism are questioned, society usually responds in one of two ways. It either adopts pseudoscience, as the Nazis did, claiming biological superiority as an absolute truth or abandons science altogether, instead choosing to believe in a non-scientific absolute truth, like liberalism.
The Progress of Science
Science combines empirical observations with mathematical tools to formulate theories. In the realm of science, newer observations and theories are prioritized over older ones, underlining the principle of constant evolution.
The application of statistics, developed to handle uncertainties, has led to significant advancements. For example, two clergymen in 1744 utilized the concept of statistics to successfully predict the required funds for an insurance setup for clergymen’s widows.
Moreover, evolutionary science applies probability and statistics to predict the likelihood of certain mutations in a species.
The Implications of Science on Education and Power
Previously, theological and logical studies were prioritized in education. However, modern education systems emphasize mathematics, even in behavioral sciences like psychology. The practical implications of science, its “what’s” rather than the “how’s,” is what truly empowers humanity. Generals may not understand nuclear physics, but they understand the power of the atomic bomb.
The Marriage of Science and Technology
The convergence of science and technology wasn’t always a reality. Historically, most military innovations were organizational, resulting from accidental discoveries by craftsmen rather than intentional scientific research. However, modern militaries’ superiority stems from their technological prowess. Any scientific research that does not promise progress or improvement over the status quo is considered futile.
The Ideal of Progress and the Struggle Against Poverty
Before the scientific revolution, human progress was non-existent, and fundamental problems like poverty and disease were considered unsolvable. However, with the acceptance of ignorance and the application of science, the possibility of resolving these problems came into light.
Poverty is of two kinds - social poverty characterized by the lack of opportunities and biological poverty characterized by the lack of basic needs like food and shelter. While biological poverty has been addressed to a certain extent through scientific advancements and social security systems, social poverty still remains a challenge.
The March Towards Immortality
The progress of science has also affected how humanity views death - shifting from an inevitable fate to a technical problem that can be resolved. The curtailment of infectious diseases and the reduction in child mortality are significant achievements. The challenge now is whether science will enable humans to achieve immortality in the future.
The Backing of Science
The progress of science is not just due to the scientists but also the funding that drives the research. The reasons for funding science are not always the love for knowledge but often the potential political, economic, and religious benefits. Science itself does not know how to prioritize fields of research, but it is often driven by the perceived utility of the research, reflecting our society’s commercial and capitalist nature.
Question: What are the major differences between the world of 1500 AD and the present day due to the scientific revolution?
The world has undergone significant changes due to science, such as a population growth from 500 million to 7 billion, wealth generation increasing from 250 billion to 62 trillion per year, advances in military technology, knowledge about microorganisms, and advancements in medicine. For example, a warship of today can sink entire navies of the past and diseases that were once fatal are now treatable with modern medicine.
Question: How does the modern perspective on science differ from the medieval era?
Answer: In the medieval era, rulers invested in priests to preserve the social order, not improve it. In contrast, today, science is viewed as a means for progress and improvement, with governments and wealthy individuals investing in science for these purposes. For instance, wealthy philanthropists like Bill Gates invest in scientific research for eradicating diseases.
Question: What is the fundamental principle of the scientific method?
Answer: The fundamental principle of the scientific method is the assumption of ignorance. It acknowledges that our current knowledge can be proven wrong later and encourages innovation through the development and application of new theories. An example is Einstein’s theory of relativity that redefined Newton’s laws of motion.
Question: How were individuals treated who acknowledged the incompleteness of traditional knowledge?
Answer: Individuals acknowledging the incompleteness of traditional knowledge either faced criticism and exclusion, or started their own traditions and claimed them as all-knowing. An example of this is Martin Luther, who questioned Catholic teachings and sparked the Protestant Reformation.
Question: How did Alexander Webster and Robert Wallace use statistics to establish the insurance for clergymen’s widows in 1744?
Answer: Webster and Wallace used the law of large numbers to predict the average number of clergy men above a certain age that will die, and how much money they would need to collect. This allowed them to accurately predict the funds required for their insurance setup, thus demonstrating the practical application of statistics.
Question: How does modern science interact with education?
Answer: Modern science has resulted in mathematics becoming a significant part of education, even in fields like psychology. Students are required to study mathematics or its branches, such as statistics, to understand empirical observations and develop theories. For example, psychology students need to understand statistics for research purposes.
Question: How has the military’s relationship with science changed over time?
Answer: Previously, military innovations were mainly organizational. The convergence of science and technology has led to a focus on technological advancement, such as the development of the atomic bomb during WW2. Modern militaries’ superiority comes from their technological capabilities. For instance, the US Army’s edge in modern warfare is primarily due to advanced technology.
Question: How has the scientific revolution altered the concept of human progress and poverty?
Answer: The scientific revolution introduced the idea of human progress and revealed the possibility of resolving fundamental problems like poverty through scientific advancements and social systems. Biological poverty, for example, has been largely addressed through advancements in farming and food production. For instance, the Green Revolution significantly improved crop yields, reducing hunger and poverty.
Question: What is the Gilgamesh project, and how does it signify a shift in human perception of death?
Answer: The Gilgamesh project signifies the shift in perception of death from an inevitable fate to a technical problem that can potentially be resolved. This shift is illustrated by significant advancements in health, such as the reduction of infectious diseases and child mortality rates. For example, diseases like polio, which were once deadly, are now preventable due to vaccines.
Question: How does funding influence the direction and progress of scientific research?
Answer: The progress of science is heavily influenced by funding. Research areas are often chosen based on their potential political, economic, and religious benefits. In a commercial capitalist society, research that promises practical application and financial returns, such as improving milk production, is more likely to receive funding. For example, research in genetics for improving crop yields or livestock productivity often receives significant funding.
