Chapter 1: The Foundation of Scientific Understanding

Humanity has developed the scientific method to enhance our comprehension of the universe. This approach has proven to be immensely valuable, providing insights into our world, the cosmos, and our own existence. However, the limited knowledge we possess pales in comparison to the vast mysteries that remain unsolved.

When contemplating the extent of our ignorance, it's staggering to realize the depth of what we don't know, particularly regarding concepts like dark energy and dark matter. Life itself stands as the most profound enigma.

Despite some believing we have a complete grasp of knowledge, such arrogance is truly concerning. In the near future, (see my blog on knowledge), the totality of human knowledge is expected to double! This means that an amount equivalent to our current understanding will soon be revealed, although we remain unaware of what this new information will entail.

The systematic study of scientific knowledge is known as scientometrics. When we refer to "facts," we often mean theories or subjective opinions.

Section 1.1: The Half-Life of Knowledge

The concept of the "half-life" of knowledge was introduced by Fritz Machlup (15/12/1902–30/01/1983) and later popularized by Samuel Arbesman in his book, “The Half-Life of Facts: Why Everything We Know Has an Expiration Date.” This principle applies across various scientific fields, but here, we will focus on medicine.

Subsection 1.1.1: The Implications for Medicine

In the context of medicine, the half-life of facts suggests that approximately half of what is currently taught to medical students will be proven incorrect within the next 10 to 20 years. This realization is mind-boggling. It underscores our limited understanding of what is actually accurate and highlights the folly in believing we possess absolute knowledge about our world or ourselves.

This doesn't imply that science is deceptive or unhelpful; rather, it reveals the vast scope of our ignorance, our hubris, and the considerable amount we still have left to learn.

Chapter 2: Insights from Experts

In this TEDx talk, Sam Arbesman discusses the concept of knowledge evolution, elaborating on how facts change over time and the implications for various fields.

Arbesman further explores why the information we hold can expire and the importance of continually updating our understanding in light of new discoveries.

Philip’s Journal

Welcome to Philip’s Journal. Join me as we embark on a grand journey of discovery, traversing the boundaries of knowledge and understanding.

Finally, I would greatly appreciate any small contributions that you might be able to make to support my writing journey.

Philip Temple — Please consider buying me a book or supporting my writing and poetry endeavors. I love supporting creators!

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