The scientific method necessitates an equanimity around being wrong. A scientist that becomes invested in the outcome of their experimentation has lost the objectivity necessary to be great in the field.
Changing your mind, as a scientist, is a feature of the process and not a bug. We could learn a lot from scientists in that regard. Flexibility of mind is a virtue.
“When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do sir?”- Paul Samuelson
A small group of examples of scientists changing their mind:
- First, eggs are bad for you. Then, eggs are a superfood.
- The advice about wearing masks as a defense against the spread of COVID19. I.e. telling us not to wear one, telling us to wear one all the time, dropping the advice to wear one outside, telling us to wear one
- The thinking about the origins of SARS COV2 i.e. lab leak vs. animal origins
- The advice to leave groceries outside or to wipe them down before use.
These are signs that science is working. They are not signs that science is not the best way to search out the truth, nor that scientists are misleading us.
Place your bets on the current scientific consensus. Change your mind when that changes. You will be far more likely to find the success that you are looking to achieve.
Just my opinion. What do you think? Let me know in the comments.
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