"Science is rooted in creative interpretation. Numbers suggest, constrain and refute; they do not, by themselves, specify the content of scientific theories. Theories are built upon the interpretation of numbers, and interpreters are often trapped by their own rhetoric. They believe in their own objectivity and, and fail to discern the prejudice that leads them to one interpretation among the many consistent with their numbers."
- SJ Gould
A wonderfully true statement which not many can appreciate !
The subjectivity involved in being objective... :-)
It is the true understanding of our inherent biases and conditioning that can make science truly objective. This is where lessons from history become invaluable in our understanding and appreciating the magnitude of bias that we introduce in science. Hindsight is often the best form of sight that can make things appear in new light !! :-)
- SJ Gould
A wonderfully true statement which not many can appreciate !
The subjectivity involved in being objective... :-)
It is the true understanding of our inherent biases and conditioning that can make science truly objective. This is where lessons from history become invaluable in our understanding and appreciating the magnitude of bias that we introduce in science. Hindsight is often the best form of sight that can make things appear in new light !! :-)
Don't trust statistics and plots is it?
ReplyDeletethat is what i understand by Gould's remark
Well... thats not at all what he is trying to tell...
ReplyDeleteAll Gould is trying to imply here is that we must be aware of our prejudices when we interpret scientific data... Science is heavily reliant on objective measurements but they don't tell much. The numbers are only as good as our interpretation of them. The key lies in recognizing our inherent biases and overcoming them towards addressing questions with pure objective reasoning.
A look at the history of science will show that a lot of scientists have based their interpretation of numbers to suit their pre-existing bias/prejudice/theory... eg.. in the field of phrenology, in the theory of inherent differences in the aptitude of the races, etc etc.