In science, facts are often taught as immutable truths, which can be unsettling when an established concept, like the planetary status of Pluto, is overturned. However, according to experts like the Royal Society, this very uncertainty should inspire confidence, not doubt. Questioning established facts is not a flaw; it is the fundamental engine of the scientific method.
The entire scientific process functions as a giant system of checks and balances. It begins with raw information from observations or experiments, leading to a hypothesis that must then undergo rigorous scrutiny by other scientists. Progress occurs when new information emerges, allowing outdated ideas to be replaced.
When Information is Incomplete
Sometimes, even brilliant minds draw the wrong conclusions simply because they lack sufficient information:
Continental Drift: In the early 1620s, Sir Francis Bacon observed the symmetrical fit of the coastlines of West Africa and Eastern South America. He hypothesized that nature was merely "copying herself." What Bacon could not have known was that these coasts were once part of an ancient supercontinent, which split apart 140 million years ago. Bacon’s hypothesis remained accepted for centuries until the 1950s, when new discoveries about plate tectonics provided the correct explanation for his observation.
Fossil Misidentification: In the 1670s, Robert Plot found a large fossilized bone and concluded it belonged to a giant human. Later geological and zoological analysis proved the bone belonged to a Megalosaurus, a type of dinosaur, showing how the same raw data can lead to vastly different conclusions depending on the available context.
When a New Theory Supersedes an Old One
Scientific breakthroughs often involve setting up groundbreaking experiments that replace older, less general theories. In 1919, a pivotal meeting of the Royal Society confirmed Einstein’s theory of General Relativity after a solar eclipse provided the perfect conditions to measure the bending of starlight.
This experiment showed that the gravity of a massive object, like the Sun, could bend light around it, leading the scientific community to replace Sir Isaac Newton's previous theory with Einstein’s more comprehensive interpretation of gravity. Even so, Einstein's theory is not considered an ultimate fact, as future breakthroughs may one day supersede our current understanding.
The Problem of Uniformity
Another factor that can skew scientific results is a lack of diversity. Until the 1970s, primatologists were predominantly men and often limited their studies to male primates. Based on the aggression they observed in male baboons, they theorized that human evolution had been driven by similar male-dominated behavior. This theory was challenged by anthropologist Shirley Strum, who began observing both male and female baboons. Her comprehensive studies disproved the earlier, narrow theories, despite the backlash she faced.
Science is not about being right on the first attempt; it is about having the willingness to be proved wrong. This constant process of revision should inspire confidence, acting like a necessary software update where newer breakthroughs are often impossible without the "legwork" of the older, now-outdated concepts. Ultimately, trust should be placed in the person who is willing to be corrected, not the person who is certain they are right.
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