There is a widely held notion that does plenty of damage:the notion of "scientifically proved".Nearly an oxymoron.The very foundation of science is to keep the door open to doubt. Therefore a good scientist is never "certain".Lack of certainty is precisely what makes conclusions more reliable than the conclusions of those who are certain. Failure to appreciate the value of uncertainty is at the origin of much silliness in our society. .......

The Uselesslness Of Certainty 

.........Knowledge itself is probabilistic in nature.A better understanding of the meaning of "probability"--and especially realizing that we don't need (and never possess) "scientifically proved " facts but only a sufficiently high degree of probability in order to make decisions-would improve everybody's conceptual toolkit.

Featuring a foreword by David Brooks, This Will Make You Smarter presents brilliant—but accessible—ideas to expand every mind. What scientific concept would improve everybody’s cognitive toolkit? This is the question John Brockman, publisher of Edge.org, posed to the world’s most influential thinkers. Their visionary answers flow from the frontiers of psychology, philosophy, economics, physics, sociology, and more. Surprising and enlightening, these insights will revolutionize the way you think about yourself and the world. Contributors include: Daniel Kahneman on the “focusing illusion” Jonah Lehrer on controlling attention Richard Dawkins on experimentation Aubrey De Grey on conquering our fear of the unknown Martin Seligman on the ingredients of well-being Nicholas Carr on managing “cognitive load” Steven Pinker on win-win negotiating Daniel Goleman on understanding our connection to the natural world Matt Ridley on tapping collective intelligence Lisa Randall on effective theorizing Brian Eno on “ecological vision” J. Craig Venter on the multiple possible origins of life Helen Fisher on temperament Sam Harris on the flow of thought Lawrence Krauss on living with uncertainty

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Featuring a foreword by David Brooks, This Will Make You Smarter presents brilliant—but accessible—ideas to expand every mind. What scientific concept would improve everybody’s cognitive toolkit? This is the question John Brockman, publisher of Edge.org, posed to the world’s most influential thinkers. Their visionary answers flow from the frontiers of psychology, philosophy, economics, physics, sociology, and more. Surprising and enlightening, these insights will revolutionize the way you think about yourself and the world.Contributors include: <ul><li>Daniel Kahneman on the “focusing illusion” </li><li>Jonah Lehrer on controlling attention </li><li>Richard Dawkins on experimentation </li><li>Aubrey De Grey on conquering our fear of the unknown </li><li>Martin Seligman on the ingredients of well-being</li><li>Nicholas Carr on managing “cognitive load” </li><li>Steven Pinker on win-win negotiating </li><li>Daniel Goleman on understanding our connection to the natural world</li><li>Matt Ridley on tapping collective intelligence </li><li>Lisa Randall on effective theorizing </li><li>Brian Eno on “ecological vision” </li><li>J. Craig Venter on the multiple possible origins of life  </li><li>Helen Fisher on temperament </li><li>Sam Harris on the flow of thought </li><li>Lawrence Krauss on living with uncertainty</li></ul>

Bishwamohan Jena's Key Ideas from This Will Make You Smarter
by John Brockman

The Uselesslness Of Certainty

Bishwamohan Jena's ideas are part of this journey:

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Bishwamohan Jena's Key Ideas from This Will Make You Smarterby John Brockman

The Uselesslness Of Certainty

Bishwamohan Jena's ideas are part of this journey:

Related collections

Discover Key Ideas from Books on Similar Topics

Bishwamohan Jena's Key Ideas from This Will Make You Smarter
by John Brockman