This year the UK’s Royal Society, one of the world’s oldest scientific academies, celebrates its 350th anniversary. As they summarise:
On November 30th 1660 a dozen men gathered to hear the young Christopher Wren give a lecture on astronomy. In the discussion that followed they decided to form a society for the study of the new and still controversial Experimental Philosophy. Two years later Charles II made it his Royal Society and in the 350 years since it was founded, its Fellows have given us gravity, evolution, the electron, the double helix, the internet and a large part of the modern world. In 2010 we celebrate 350 years of scientific brilliance and fearless doubt.
I quote partially for those last two words, which I find quite inspiring: “fearless doubt” – the ability to move us forward by continuing to question in the face of censure, ridicule or worse. Time was (and still is in many places) that expressing doubt toward the majority view could get you into real trouble (ask Galileo or Spinoza among many others).
But its not just that which gets me – it sometimes feels like having doubt is in itself something to fear and that certainty is a good per se. It feels strong to be certain. We get these entrenched viewpoints and it can be scary to let them go or even question them to yourself let alone others. I find myself susceptible to a fear of doubt itself.
But doubt, as a genuine examination and questioning of your position or beliefs, actions or motivations, doesn’t weaken them and doesn’t weaken you. Doubt can, I think, be a continually refining process toward truth (either empirical or internal) – in that sense, it’s just another word for having an open mind, no? To quote Carl Sagan:
In science it often happens that scientists say, “You know that’s a really good argument; my position is mistaken,” and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn’t happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion.
(I can’t help it! SuperForester Aaron’s incredible post got me all Sagan-excited again. Also, watch Cosmos! For it is good! And the graphics are surprisingly awesome for 30 years ago!)
In honour of the 350th anniversary the Royal Mail has launched a special series of stamps, commemorating 10 of the greatest Royal Society Fellows and their contributions to modern science:
Scientists featured include Sir Isaac Newton (he of gravity and the laws of motion among much more), Benjamin Franklin (US founding father, polymath and inventor of the great glass harmonica), Dorothy Hodgkin (X-ray crystallographer whose work led to the discovery of the structure of DNA) and Joseph Lister (pioneer of antiseptic surgery). You can see a gallery with explanations on NewScientist.com here and a narrated slideshow on BBC news here.
And the London Underground is featuring a selection of poems focusing on scientific thought in tube trains and stations – I’m always quite a fan of TfL’s efforts to include poetry in the tunnels, as contemplating something a little more interesting than an ad for a beach holiday or new mobile phone can make a soothing alternative to gazing at the armpit or into the ear of your fellow subterranean travellers.
So, onwards in fearless doubt,
Love
P
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