In "The Borderlands of Science" author Michael Shermer, one of the most prolific writers of modern popular science, explores the "fuzzy" borders of science. The borders are fuzzy because science doesn't advance in the straightforward, clean-cut manner that much of science history would like us to believe. Scientific advances are often "2 steps forward, 1 step back" or even more meandering. Theories and "facts" proven wrong might hang around and influence science for decades although generally their influence decreases until it disappears.
Shermer divides his book into the theories, people, and history - showing that in all areas this fuzziness shows itself. Generally it takes time for a theory to become differentiated from the prevailing thought or paradigm. Initially, it may be just a footnote about some anomaly in the data or a blip on the radar screen. Then it is a "special case" to be ignored or dealt with separately. Only after years might to overtake and supplant the original theory. On the other hand, like punctuated equilibrium, it may be relegated to just a minor refinement of the original theory.
Scientists are people. Shermer shows how they can be very rigorous in certain aspects of their thinking but way outside the borders of science in other areas. Newton is a great example with his ideas of alchemy and spiritualism. Wallace, co-discoverer of evolution through natural selection was also convinced of the "fact" of spiritualism and seances.
And finally, scientific history is often less scientific than the science it tells about. Myths about scientists and their great talent or discoveries that are "too good to be true" show us that we can never be complacent about accepting everything we read - even in science journals.
Although almost all the examples in the book were known to me, I enjoyed the way Shermer put it all together. A good read.
No comments:
Post a Comment