"I always make special notes about evidence that contradicts me...supportive evidence I can remember without trying..." - Charles Darwin
Please comment on this quote and respond to at least one other persons comment made.
Charles Darwin is saying how he makes sure to note down evidence that contradicts what he believe, and that supportive evidence is easily enough to remember.
The main idea to take away from this quote that when you are researching or studying a point, it is always important to not only look at the evidence that supports it, but also to look at the contradicting evidence to see another side of the argument
I agree with your thought that the main take away from the quote is that it is important to study both perspectives of an argument, especially when qualifying an hypothesis.
Your thought is correct in my opinion, since when it comes down to it science is about fact, not someone who has a bias opinion and would not admit he was wrong. It shows how in order to have successful research you must be humble in the sense to not be afraid to be wrong, and if you see evidence going against your hypothesis, then you still have the opportunity to be right but not with your initial hypothesis.
What I really like about your response is the part about seeing the other side of the argument, because there will always be people doubting your work. You have to be prepared with every piece of the truth for when people disagree, so you can show your reasoning and why it works.
I agree with your take away that Darwin is pointing out the significance to stay open-minded about disproving evidence whenever doing any kind of research. Although this may result in the need to do further experimentation or reconsider previous conceptions, it is essential to take this route rather than take the easy way out, which could result in false conclusions.
Darwin intended by this quote that it is important to take note of evidence that indicates that you are incorrect because that means that you have a different perception than reality. I think it also means that it is important to understand why you are wrong and to take note of that so that you may develop a better theory and creat a more evolved concept. In addition, I think Darwin meant that often enough evidence contradicting a well developed theory is surprising, and therefore fairly easy to remember.
I agree with this belief of what Darwin intended, because I think it is necessary for a person performing an experiment to keep an open mind as to what the outcome may be, and to not be set on their original hypothesis. In order to build on the original hypothesis and create a new, developed understanding, the person must be willing to accept different ideas and record data that also supports the opposing argument.
I also agree with your interpretation of Darwin's quote. I too believe that it is crucial to take all evidence into account because it will further the understanding of a belief, be it that the belief is true or untrue. I think understanding why something is or is not is essential to any proof.
I, too, agree with your take on Darwin's quote. His main point does seem to concern accepting the existence of contradictory evidence, and using this evidence productively to find a more plausible, accurate belief.
I agree with your point about how special notes are made about evidence that contradicts your theory because it is surprising. I think it is important for scientists like Charles Darwin to find evidence startling so that he is able to question and access his approach.
As Darwin writes his hypotheses they were ideas which had yet to be proven, but once evidence does not support his hypothesis, it does not mean he is wrong just that he is not completely right. Using evidence that does not support his hypothesis can redirect him to a new and improved hypothesis, a "hypothesis 2.0." Referring to Thomas Edison when he failed over and over again he just said he did not fail, but he just found ways to not create the light bulb.
I agree with your opinion on how Darwin's opposing evidence can lead to a new and improved hypothesis. I also like how you used Thomas Edison as an example someone who doesn't see his mistakes as failures
I completely agree with you Alex. No respectable scientist would scrap their ideas on the first sign of opposition. Also, no respectable scientist would blindly supports something that has been credibly proven incorrect. So, you must integrate opposing evidence into your new ideas, in an effort to make your new ideas stronger and more well-founded than your previous ones.
I agree with your opinion of how his hypothesis was not wrong and it was just not totally right. I also like how you used evidence to support your answer.
I agree completely- if a scientist is not willing to roll with the punches and modify their idea where it is needed, they are no better than an amateur - despite all their schooling and experience. Many changes may have to be made, chaining you hypothesis again till you have a "hypothesis 20.0", but every change brings you closer and eventually you will create you "light bulb"
"A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them." - John C. Maxwell
I believe that as a whole, the meaning of this quote is directed towards the significance of having both a null hypothesis as well as an original or alternate hypothesis. During an experiment, Darwin is stating that it is crucial to record as much data as possible in order to come up with a conclusion quickly and accurately. Even when data does not support the hypothesis, it should still be recorded because when there is a difference between the expected and the observed, the null hypothesis has been rejected. As only 1 hypothesis will be supported, when the null is rejected, the original hypothesis of the person performing the experiment proves to be correct. Without statistical data and accurate observations proving points for each side of the argument, the null hypothesis will not be able to be rejected. Also, I believe this quote is significant because Charles Darwin is stating how crucial it is for someone to keep an open mind, willing to accept not only what they believe, but also another side of the argument from a different perspective.
I really like how you directly connected Darwin's quote to null hypotheses and alternate hypotheses. By recognizing the possibilities of contradictions in his work, Darwin really supports the necessity of alternate hypotheses and having an open mind because, more often than not, you won't always be right.
I understand why Darwin would consider evidence that contradicts a theory important. In logic and mathematics, an indirect proof can be of equal or higher value to a direct one. In an indirect proof, statement "a" is proved by disproving "not a". In Darwin's case, evidence proving something not to be true could prove something else to be true, making the evidence extremely valuable. Also, all evidence should be noted because the experiment is incomplete and biased if the evidence is disregarded.
I think it's interesting that you bring up the idea that contradictory evidence can be used to develop new theories. I agree with this idea since exceptions to what we expect lead us to wonder why that exception occurred, and can often lead to new discoveries. A good example of this is the Michelson-Morley experiment. Before, everyone thought that light traveled through a medium, known as the "aether". Since the medium must be moving with respect to the Earth in some way, it would affect the speed of light similar to how the current of a river affects the speed of a boat. However, this was not observed, despite multiple changes to the experiment to ensure that there were no outside factors influencing the experiment. It is interesting to note in this case that most of the public, as well as the actual performers of the experiment, refused to accept the results of the experiment as true for a significant period of time because they were so revolutionary at the time, and because they contradicted what was expected. Einstein was one of the only people who accepted the results as true, and this eventually led to his formulation of special relativity.
Seeing the other comments, it’s apparent that we all agree that you need to recognize failure and with that, Darwin shows a kind of modesty in this quote as well since he notes down contradictions so that he can improve his work. He somewhat expects failure to come sooner or later and makes science seem like writing in that you are constantly editing and revising. These edits and criticisms, or contradictions, that he jots down gets him closer to getting the final product and true solution. You can’t know the right answer until you've eliminated all other possible choices, thus noting every contradiction is merely Darwin crossing off possibilities until there’s only one left.
I agree with how you state Darwin was narrowing down his possibilities to obtain the true answer. As students we have teachers to help us along the right track, but Darwin had no such help, and he was discovering things that were completely new. Instead of giving up when he found out he was wrong, he continued until he could confidently say he was correct, as all other possibilities disproved.
I agree about Darwin eliminating wrong answers to develop a correct statement. That part of the scientific process is always why you can't take anything for granted, since new evidence and data is always emerging that might contradict preexisting theories, and you always have to be ready to change your ideas, no matter how old or entrenched they are.
Failure, for me, is a main component of learning. Without failure you cannot expand the horizons of your mind and dive deeper into the reasons of why you may be incorrect, and thus how you could be corrected. I believe Darwin wrote his 'special notes' to stick in his mind during his experiments so that he could consider them with every action he took thereafter. He could not be sure he was right if there was nothing to prove his theory. As aforementioned, 'special notes' helped Darwin remember that specific point. This method could be translated to our studies in AP Biology. Every lesson we should be learning something new, or something that contradicts our initial theories. Without remembering these we cannot further our learning, so we should ensure to remember them by writing comprehensive notes. As a student it is good practice to do this, but in Darwin's case it could have lead to new discoveries which at that time could have lead to an 'evolution' in science.
I think I agree with the main idea of what you are trying to say, but would clarify that I think what Darwin was trying to say was more a general/metaphorical statement about the importance of considering evidence that does not support a hypothesis in order to consider new angles and remained unbiased as well as adequately respond to refutations of one's theory, rather than a literal note (mental or physical) that helped him remember to consider means of proving his theories. This may have been what you were getting at, but I found it got slightly lost in translation. Or perhaps we simply interpreted it differently.
Darwin is implying that scientists should consider all of the evidence, whether it supports or weakens their hypothesis. In fact, proving a hypothesis incorrect can be more useful because the opposing evidence can lead to new ideas or theories that one hasn’t thought of before. Opposing evidence is more difficult to accept, but it can give a new perspective. Scientists can use contradictory evidence to gain more knowledge of their topic, and it gives them a chance to revise their experiment, leading to a more accurate hypothesis.
I agree where this contradictory data can, and should, lead to new ideas and theories. To be a good scientist one shouldn't shy away from unsupportive data and can always adapt and improve.
I agree that scientists should be unbiased and make note of all evidence. This mindset can open up the doorway to new theories and ideas that were previously not considered before. In many ways, proving a hypothesis as incorrect is just as crucial as proving it correct.
Darwin is simply trying to say something along the lines of keeping your friends close, but your enemies even closer (in a scientific context, of course). If you're familiar enough with your own research and ideas, then recalling that which supports them shouldn't be a hassle--that's the easy part. However, it's much more important to understand the evidence that doesn't defend your research. You need to actively consider this unsupportive evidence in an attempt to counter it, for the sake of your research's validity. You can look for its own flaws, or do something yourself to disprove it; anything to demonstrate its invalidity.
Interesting how you say that you need to actively consider the evidence to counter it because it may help you in the future for testing future hypotheses. If a scientist actively examines the unsupportive evidence, he/she may find flaws in his evidence gathering, which result in the contradictions to the hypothesis. By closely examining the contradictory evidence, the scientist may be able to save his/her own hypothesis instead of abandoning it.
Darwin basically means that contradictory evidence is much more useful than supportive in creating a scientific theory about the world. Only by assimilating contradictory evidence into an earlier hypothesis can one eventually come to a conclusion; oftentimes, this takes many years, with some scientists picking up the theories of older ones and combining or testing them to formulate new ones. It's very important for a good scientist to be flexible, adapt to new evidence and never take as totally proven any theory about the world.
I agree...for the most part. But I don’t think Darwin is saying that one type of evidence is better than the other in this quote, I think he is saying that you need to put an emphasis on contradictory evidence, not because it is more important but because it is easier to forget.
In this quote, Darwin is saying that recording evidence that contradicts a theory is just as useful, if not more useful, than evidence that supports the theory. I think this is especially true because for each correct theory, there are hundreds of incorrect ones. This quote tells us that it is much easier to use null hypotheses to decrease the size of the hypothesis pool than it is to search through a massive list of possible hypotheses for the correct ones. In addition, by testing null hypotheses, a scientist can raise new questions, rather than just finding evidence to support a hypothesis.
Conducting an experiment in order to find evidence to support a hypothesis is getting yourself on the wrong track and places you in a biased mentality. Testing a hypothesis should be about evaluating a prediction.
Humans naturally want their own ideas to be supported, so in order for scientists to remain unbiased they need to pay extra attention to that which does not support the idea being tested.
Darwin here shows the mindset that other scientists should all have. Instead of simply focusing on the evidence that supports their hypothesis, they should also make note of those that contradict it. As a scientist, you cannot be afraid to be wrong, or to make wrong assumptions. When the information does not support their hypothesis, it helps the scientist create a new hypothesis and continue to test that. They cannot blatantly ignore information that does not support their hypothesis. Scientists have to be adaptable and openminded to any possible new ideas.
I agree that as a scientist, you must be unbiased and open to different suggestions. Even if you want your assumptions to be proved as true, you cannot simply toss aside information that does not support your hypothesis.
The whole point of conducting an experiment is that the outcome is unknown. There will be times when the data is contradictory to the original hypothesis which does not mean it is necessarily wrong and if it is, this new data can lead to a new and different discovery than the one previously thought.
I like how you point out how it is important to keep an open mind when performing an experiment. Sometimes, we want to believe that something is true, even when it may not be, so provided that someone follows this rule, they will have a better chance of producing more accurate results.
This quote reminds me of how scientific laws and theories are really developed. Scientists perform many experiments, and laws and theories are possible explanations of the results observed. When we find that the law or theory holds true in several cases, under different kinds of testing, the law or theory is accepted as true. However, even thousands or millions of examples that support a law or theory cannot suffice as proof that the law or theory is true. On the other hand, one counter example is enough to prove a law or theory false, or at least partially false. This is why I think evidence contradicting one's hypothesis is much more important than evidence that supports it, and part of why Darwin draws attention to it in his quote.
I disagree that evidence contradicting a hypothesis is more important than supporting evidence. Even though humans are unable to view the world from a reference frame that we are not a part of, so that nothing that is supported by experiment can ever be concluded to be true, it is still more useful to be able to (with certain assumptions) be able to approximate natural law to a degree where a practical application can be found.
Darwin's point is that, to be truly accurate and impartial, a scientist must consider all evidence that results from an experiment, whether it supports the original hypothesis or not. Despite the fact that it is in human nature to want to be correct, one cannot ignore contradictions in an effort to prove his or her point. The contradictions need to be thoroughly addressed and overcome, or otherwise dealt with so that the pursuit of scientific truth can remain accurate and unbiased.
I like how you pointed out how people instinctively favor their own opinions and assertions, often blatantly casting off contradictions. It is crucial to be unbiased and take in any additional information.
The idea behind this quote is that it is necessary to consider the evidence that is either contrary to one's hypothesis or which does not support it both to fully understand all angles of a theory/hypothesis and to be able to argue for its validity. A theory cannot really be determined to be true unless contradicting evidence is identified and addressed - to simply assume something is true because some evidence suggests it would be presumptious and not in keeping with the impartial spirit of scientific research. Additionally, in order to be capable of aptly defending one's findings or argument in the face of disagreement, one must be familiar with the details of the arguments which contradict said findings.
Good point. Just like in any argument, science-related or not, it's really important to have a complete understanding of as many angles as possible. Only in this way can you formulate your own objective conclusion.
In this quote, Darwin is pointing out that the evidence that counters your idea(s) may be the most important. This is because contradictory evidence can explain why you may be wrong and force you to look at the problem from multiple perspectives. So in a sense, conflicting evidence may be used to strengthen your own hypothesis. He also adds that it is easy to remember or believe supportive evidence which justifies the idea that the easiest path is not always the best.
I agree with your idea that contradictory idea has the effect of improving your hypothesis by encouraging you to look at the topic from various angles. I like how you interpreted what Darwin meant by "...supportive evidence I can remember without trying..."
I do agree that the evidence that might not support your original claim is in fact important in the process. It allows the scientist to change or alter his hypothesis making it more accurate. I like how you mentioned that an experiment can lead in different directions and how there is always the easy way and the hard way.
Darwin is stating that data that does not support your hypothesis is just as important as the data that does. Contradictory evidence is important in that it can encourage you to explore additional facets of the topic and help you refine your hypothesis.
Darwin points out that you can have all the evidence you want to back up your claim, but it only takes one piece of evidence that proves otherwise to completely invalidate your hypothesis. In reality, it's more important to dispel the opposite argument to prove a hypothesis than collecting more evidence that supports it.
I disagree with your analysis of Darwin's quote because I find that you are taking it to the extreme. Nowhere in Darwin's statement does he in any way infer that having one bit of contradictory information is a way to completely invalidate a hypothesis. If that were the case, countless scientists who were ridiculed for their studies would have had to consider their hypotheses invalid because of the "evidence" proving otherwise. Instead, Darwin claims that opposing evidence should be treated as encouragement to explore new ideas in a variety of fashions and that it's important to be open-minded. And also (not that I'm purposely trying to play Devil's advocate), I find your second statement to be nonsensical and even false to a certain degree. How can dispelling an argument be more important than finding supporting evidence? Think of it this way, disproving an opposing argument may prove your opponents wrong, but it doesn't prove that you're right. You can disprove others' arguments all you want, but if you don't have evidence to justify your beliefs then you won't get anywhere.
Seth, while I agree with the overall sentiment, I believe that Darwin meant more to say that without considering all of the evidence, not just the evidence he wanted to exist, one cannot find an answer. On the flip-side, if he was looking to disprove a theorem, and instead came across evidence supporting it, he would be obligated to view that on the same level as what he was originally searching for.
As a scientist, Darwin's notion to take in both assuring and opposing data contributes to discovering new theories and ideologies. Without trial and error, one cannot correct past mistakes. Darwin says it is easy to recall supportive evidence, as there are usually more contradictions. But unlike many other scientists, he does not merely dismiss them, he will make use of opposing evidence as stepping stones to reach further advancements. A seemingly incoherent piece of information can prove to verify other possible answers.
In this quote Darwin is acknowledging the danger of how easy it is to get so wrapped up in being right that you forget about being wrong, which results in unsound conclusions. Therefore he is stressing the importance of keeping track of conflicting evidence to ensure that it isn’t forgotten in the face of more exciting supporting evidence, which in turn helps guarantee a more balanced and well founded conclusion
I agree that focusing on being right can lead to unsound conclusions. If you are not open to the idea that your hypothesis may not be correct, then you may not reach an accurate conclusion
What Darwin means with this quote is that one should take note of evidence that challenges your hypothesis, because it may be even more beneficial than evidence that supports your hypothesis. No matter how much evidence you have to back up your claims, one piece of contradictory evidence can disprove your hypothesis. Contradictory evidence can be used by scientists to gain a new perspective and to eventually reach a true answer. Instead of dismissing a piece of evidence that does not reinforce what he thinks is right, Darwin uses it as a tool to guide him to a valid conclusion.
Darwin's quote serves as a commentary on open-mindedness. People tend to focus on what they WANT to observe, in support of their own claims, and will often overlook other ideas or evidence, which can lead to biased or insular thinking. Instead, Darwin suggests that consideration of contradictory evidence allows people to examine new perspectives that will shape and modify their previous claims.
I agree with you in the sense that the "consideration of contradictory evidence allows people to examine new perspectives" because perhaps Darwin in acknowledging opposition against his hypothesis he would be able to improve it by considering other people's ideas; therefore, producing a more correct hypothesis.
Charles Darwin makes this statement as a way of presenting his attitude toward his field of research and discovery. While it is always reassuring to acquire evidence that supports one's claims or beliefs, Darwin acknowledges that one cannot ignore contradictory information when it is present. As a result, instead of allowing opposing data to deter or frustrate him in his endeavors, Darwin explains that he treats these evidences as "supportive"; they encourage him to dig deeper into the truth and approach new discoveries from every angle so that he may be truly effective in his pursuit for knowledge.
I disagree with your interpretation of "supportive" evidence. I think that the supportive evidence is just a set of evidence that supports his theory. What he is trying to get across is that to have unbiased finding the scientist must consider the odd and examples against his.
I don't think Augustus was referring to the kind of supporting evidence you are thinking of. He is saying that Darwin looks at opposing evidence as encouragement to look deeper into whatever it is he is researching. Because of this I agree with Augustus' interpretation of the evidence in that even if it goes against Darwin, it can still support him in that it gives him an opportunity to find new answers.
I agree with Mitchell and Gus that Darwin treats contradictory evidence as a reason to look further into the topic at hand. Just because there is contradictory evidence doesn't mean that the hypothesis should immediately be dismissed as completely invalid. There could be underlying factors as to why the evidence is contradictory, and that should always be looked into before coming to any conclusion.
In this quote Darwin is acknowledging that there will always be people against you and or your beliefs, but in the science world this opposition should never make you abandon your hypothesis but it should serve as motivation for you to prove them wrong.
In this quote, Charles Darwin is stating the importance of considering contradictory evidence. If you only focus on proving yourself right, then you are narrow minded to other answers or explanations. Evidence that may not support the original hypothesis can lead to new discoveries and new ideas. If you do not consider contradictory evidence, you may not reach an accurate conclusion.
Rather than accept only that information which will aid his conclusion, Darwin understands that an answer cannot be found if one excludes all possibilities outside of a person's original imaginings. In this approach to gathering evidence, he accepts what many of us are unwilling to do: the idea that he may have been wrong in the first place. I believe that we can model our own scientific research after Darwin's methods, allowing for multiple answers to a single question, that, in many cases, there is no absolute, indisputable "yes" or "no." Unless we strive to put truth above our desire for perfection, we may be obscuring truth, and that is not what science is meant to do.
I like your point that there can be many answers to a single questions and science isn’t always “black and white.” I agree with your interpretation of the quote and feel that sometimes people cannot admit that they made a mistake or were wrong and feel that accepting our mistakes is an important step to improving our original ideas.
The point that Darwin is trying to make is that by having the assumption that your theory is absolute is flawed and the wrong way to approach research. With assumption like that, it can formulate bias. On that note, bias can create errors and ignore counter-theories that can be potentially pivotal information.
Darwin in this quote is trying to say that there always is the option of having a false hypothesis. It is not because the evidence contradicts the original hypothesis that it should be disregarded as important. That evidence can help a scientist reach more conclusions and could expand his knowledge on the topic. The evidence that was expected is easy to remember for obvious reasons but the evidence that is contradictory is the evidence someone might try to ignore to make sure a conclusion is reached simply and fast. However a complete and accurate conclusion cannot be reached with only part of the evidence, all the different possibilities need to be accounted for.
Darwin’s quote serves as a reminder that although supportive evidence is sought after in an experiment, contradictory evidence should not be overlooked. It is important to note contradictory evidence because it can aid in completely understanding a conclusion, or spark further research regarding a particular subject.
I didn't think about the idea that contradictory evidence could spark further research. However, I agree that new conclusions and further experimentation could be needed as a result of finding such evidence.
I like how you mentioned that contradictory evidence aids in completely understanding a conclusion. I did not think about this at first, but I completely agree. Contradictory evidence doesn't only help scientists create different hypotheses; it also helps them see every side or perspective of the experiment which will lead to better results.
I agree with what you said about that things which sound contradictory on the surface must not be overlooked. If anything these things should be sought after more carefully then the "correct" answers. We typically tend to look for, or find, only information which backs up what we believe. By seeking information which falsifies our own research we can lead a more thorough investigation.
When testing a hypothesis it is often easy to find evidence that supports your claim. However, it is often the contradictory evidence that is the most important. Darwin takes "special notes" about contradictory evidence because it allows him to fully prove or disprove his hypothesis. If you only look for the evidence that will lead you to the answer you want your limiting your experiment because the evidence may not be completely relevant if there is something to disprove it. In order to reach a full conclusion, scientists must take the time to look for the evidence that doesn't support their hypothesis because its this evidence that will make or break their claim.
I think Darwin means that it is important to have an unbiased take on any theory so that scientist can gather a raw and real understanding of the subject. That is why he’s open to contradictory evidence, because it’s not there to humiliate him but to help him. This quote also highlights the need to collaborate as one person may not have all the answers and as a team, scientists can stay open to different viewpoints. Additionally I think Darwin hints at the need to be thorough in research as he knows all of the “supportive evidence” meaning when researching he did not only draw on his evidence but used the work of others to help him prove his theory. The overarching message Darwin tries to communicate is the need to be open to all types of help; both supportive and contradictory when formulating theories and opinions.
I think you worded this really thoughtfully and hit the nail on the head. Especially the line "it’s not there to humiliate him but to help him" -- that was my reading of the quote too! Darwin's openness to evidence, whether or not it personally hurt *his* hypothesis or not, is a clear indicator of a good scientist in my opinion.
I think Darwin would agree that when conducting an experiment it would be unwise to expect perfect results. Evidence that goes against Darwin’s expectations is useful, and thus important to remember, because it allows him to figure out where his original predictions may have gone wrong. This information can help a scientist ask new questions, carry out new experiments, make new predictions, and gain a better understanding of the subject matter he or she is working with. Evidence that does not support a scientist sparks discussions that supportive evidence simply doesn’t because supportive evidence is already discussed and somewhat expected.
I also feel Darwin’s message has a strong connection to Friday’s lesson. The concept of a null hypothesis helps scientists because it means that evidence contradicting the null hypothesis can help make conclusions about the alternate hypothesis or vice versa. This makes contradictory evidence important not only to further one’s understanding of something, but also to make better conclusions about that something.
I agree in that hypotheses are more useful when they lead to more questions and more research because of non-supportive evidence then when they appear to completely match expectations. A good scientists looks for the exceptions and greater understanding. All and all, I think you did a good job of summing up the ideas presented in the quote.
Charles Darwin is saying that it is important for him to make notes about evidence that contradicts him so that he is able to rule out potential explanations. It makes sense that it would be easier for him to remember supportive evidence without trying, simply because he naturally understands why his theory is correct and therefore why the evidence came out as it did.
I think Darwin is referencing null hypothesis. To have evidence contradict your hypothesis, it means you go back to your null. You remember the evidence because it disprove the hypothesis you spent time and effort on, but it's an important and valuable part of the process regardless! It still helps you determine what is true and can point you to formulating a better hypothesis.
I think that the point Darwin is trying to make is that science is based on facts, and most of the time there will be facts that contradict your hypothesis. When performing an experiment, areal scientist will consider all of the information they find, especially if it does not support their original predictions. Having your original hypothesis disproved is sometimes very beneficial because it drives you to write a null hypothesis or one that is better than the previous. Scientists must always be open-minded in order to reach a successful conclusion.
Essentially what Darwin is saying is that it is always easier to find evidence to support your hypothesis and even easier to remember these because the supposedly prove you "right". However, in science the evidence that does not support your hypothesis can be much more important and therefore special attention should be paid to them. With this evidence hypotheses can be revised and greater understanding of phenemona gained. This is related to the null hypothesis because it focuses on whether or not the actual outcome matches the expected.
When I read this quote by Darwin I was reminded of a statement by Thomas Edison in which he said "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Edison's quotation has the same idea conveyed as Darwin's does. He looks at his work not as either correct or incorrect, but as helping him reach a final goal. For these men the "failures" contribute just as equally to reaching their ultimate goal in research as their "successes" do. The end result is furthering an idea, not facilitating the furthering of a specific idea, just as they men did. In the end both researchers contributed massively to the scientific community thanks to their work.
I completely agree with your connection to Edison's quote. I feel that all evidence in experiments is important, both supportive and unsupportive. All the information collected in a test goes toward proving a point and proving an idea. Many scientists hit obstacles when trying to prove their hypothesis, however, these obstacles are very important in guiding researchers in the right direction.
I agree, Jeremy. I think that working to qualify hypotheses to be as accurate as possible benefits the scientific community as a whole much more than publishing results that the scientist knows may not be correct or complete.
Finding evidence that goes against your hypothesis, or failing in an experiment, can often be more important and more valuable than having everything go according to plans the first time around. The failure and contradiction act like dead ends in a maze, each time a scientist hits one, he or she knows that she's gone in the wrong direction, and that the right one is a different way. In a way, each piece of evidence that contradicts the hypothesis is like one step in editing an essay. Each time there is failure, the experiment gets farther from the wrong way of doing things and closer to the right way. The supportive evidence is easy to remember of course, because it's what you were hoping to see, however, it's hard to know if you've simply gotten lucky and are just stumbling blindly in the right direction somehow. Failure is what makes the wrong direction certain.
We all want to find supportive evidence for our experiments- it shows you've put thought into your hypothesis and have a keen sense on what the outcome will be. You've succeeded as a scientist. Yet, Darwin points out that the effort he puts in is into the hypothesis that contradicts him. Though we never want to be "wrong", sometimes it can be productive in that it would force you to approach the experiment from an alternate perspective and look at it through a new lens. Put the extra effort in when something doesn't go your way, and don't narrow your scope to find the perfect answer that you initially are searching for.
I agree that we all want to find evidence that supports our theories. However, like Emily says, it is productive to pay attention to evidence that opposes your findings and look at your theory from a new perspective.
I also think that it is really important to record all of the evidence that does not support your hypothesis. Doing this can help strengthen your theory if this evidence is interpreted and used modify your hypothesis. Additionally, not taking note of such data would be using a biased thought process. Personally, this is a difficult and humbling thing to do. Being your own devil’s advocate keeps you intellectually honest.
I completely agree that is is really important to record all evidence, even if it does not support your hypothesis. This means a variable is affecting your results or your hypothesis is incorrect. It is also important not to be biased and let the evidence speak for itself.
In saying this, Darwin is emphasizing the fact that true scientists should always objectively look at an issue, whether or not it supports one's hypothesis or not. This ties perfectly into the idea of a "null hypothesis", because a null hypothesis is a a hypothesis where there is no relationship between two observed phenomena, and Darwin speaks just about the importance at scrutinizing the issue to make verify whether such a scenario exists or not.
You've made a vital connection which I did not in my analysis of this quote. That he is essentially gathering information which acts as a null hypothesis through thorough observation of whatever he may be studying.
Darwin is absolutely correct to record (and hopefully publish) contradictory evidence to his hypotheses. Thoroughness in experimentation is still key in the scientific community today- scientists work hard to reach conclusions that are novel enough to publish and attract attention, but when the experiments fail and the conclusion isn’t groundbreaking, scientists must decide whether to publish a conclusion they know isn’t fully accurate, or continue to try different angles until they find something they can publish with integrity.
I disagree because integrity and writing to attract attention are mutually exclusive. Writing to pursue readers is in fact the antithesis of Darwin's true statement. Darwin's statement reflects the ideology that the mark of a true scientist is to publish and do justice to the field of science, not tailor one's results to pander to the readers of scientific publications.
To clarify my above statement, scientists in academia have a difficult time getting results published if the outcome is that their hypothesis was proven false (e.g. a scientist hypothesizes that x novel theory accurately describes a known phenomenon, but results indicate that x does not in fact describe the phenomenon, scientific journals will be reluctant to publish the findings, and research universities put pressure on their professors to get findings published). My statement that “scientists work hard to reach conclusions that are novel enough to publish and attract attention” is explained by the aforementioned. It does not suggest, nor is it meant to suggest, that the purpose of scientific research is to “attract attention,” but rather that modern scientists face ethical dilemmas when the true findings of their research are inconsistent with the more “publishable” claim. In these dilemmas, Darwin advocates that scientists disregard the easy route of working to prove a hypothesis true prematurely- we are in clear agreement.
Charles Darwin makes a vital comment on the importance of contradictory information. In gathering and making note of instances where ones prediction or hypothesis does not prove true, the foundation for a more precise and accurate theory is formed. It is through what does not fit that new theories may be developed and refined in order to create one which may prove true in all instances.
I like how you applied this directly to solving scientific problems and hypotheses. This can also be related to a null hypothesis which you touched upon. The most accurate data is what is most important and this can only be done with thorough research and consideration of all evidence that supports the hypothesisOR the null hypothesis.
I believe that you are correct with Darwin's approach to scientific method. The most important thing in science is accuracy which can only be found in unbiased research
I believe what Darwin is trying to say is that you think your hypothesis is right and it feels good when your evidence supports you. However, when the evidence contradicts what you believe, it causes you to study it more closely. As if to say, if everything happened as predicted there would be no science.
Darwin tried to put forward that finding the truth is more important than sinply trying to find information that supports one's idea. People often overlook evidence that does not support or even contradicts their evidence to preserve their pride. This mentality does not just have to be considered in the sciences but should also be considered in every day life. All arguments or opinions should have an unbiased point of view that has considered all the evidence against or for it. Throughout history there have been many examples of people not considering all the evidence. One example of this is the Roman Catholic hundreds of years ago when they denied the research of several early astronomers who came to the conclusion that the universe was much more massive and contained many more planets than just the sun, moon, and Earth. Only when the number of these forward thinkers greatly increased did the closed mindset of the Church open up to the new evidence against their previous assumptions. For science to improve and for the truth to be learned people must considered all the facts before making a conclusion. This is what Darwin is supporting in this quote.
This was a excellent response, Jackson, as I also believe that true scientists should consider both sides of the data, not just the one that supports their specific hypothesis. Likewise, only when we are able to view all sides of data with unbiased eyes will true science be able to advance.
Darwin in this instance is commenting on the fact that supportive details for his theories are easily utilized, but contradictory details are also very important to note down. Thus Darwin is commenting on the sides of science that require both sides and aspects of the evidence. Evidence towards science is necessary to be taken note of, as the fact that they do not support one's hypothesis is irrelevant to the fact that it is important to further science.
Charles Darwin is saying how he makes sure to note down evidence that contradicts what he believe, and that supportive evidence is easily enough to remember.
ReplyDeleteThe main idea to take away from this quote that when you are researching or studying a point, it is always important to not only look at the evidence that supports it, but also to look at the contradicting evidence to see another side of the argument
I agree with your thought that the main take away from the quote is that it is important to study both perspectives of an argument, especially when qualifying an hypothesis.
DeleteYour thought is correct in my opinion, since when it comes down to it science is about fact, not someone who has a bias opinion and would not admit he was wrong. It shows how in order to have successful research you must be humble in the sense to not be afraid to be wrong, and if you see evidence going against your hypothesis, then you still have the opportunity to be right but not with your initial hypothesis.
DeleteWhat I really like about your response is the part about seeing the other side of the argument, because there will always be people doubting your work. You have to be prepared with every piece of the truth for when people disagree, so you can show your reasoning and why it works.
DeleteI agree with your take away that Darwin is pointing out the significance to stay open-minded about disproving evidence whenever doing any kind of research. Although this may result in the need to do further experimentation or reconsider previous conceptions, it is essential to take this route rather than take the easy way out, which could result in false conclusions.
DeleteDarwin intended by this quote that it is important to take note of evidence that indicates that you are incorrect because that means that you have a different perception than reality. I think it also means that it is important to understand why you are wrong and to take note of that so that you may develop a better theory and creat a more evolved concept. In addition, I think Darwin meant that often enough evidence contradicting a well developed theory is surprising, and therefore fairly easy to remember.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this belief of what Darwin intended, because I think it is necessary for a person performing an experiment to keep an open mind as to what the outcome may be, and to not be set on their original hypothesis. In order to build on the original hypothesis and create a new, developed understanding, the person must be willing to accept different ideas and record data that also supports the opposing argument.
DeleteI also agree with your interpretation of Darwin's quote. I too believe that it is crucial to take all evidence into account because it will further the understanding of a belief, be it that the belief is true or untrue. I think understanding why something is or is not is essential to any proof.
DeleteI, too, agree with your take on Darwin's quote. His main point does seem to concern accepting the existence of contradictory evidence, and using this evidence productively to find a more plausible, accurate belief.
DeleteI agree with your point about how special notes are made about evidence that contradicts your theory because it is surprising. I think it is important for scientists like Charles Darwin to find evidence startling so that he is able to question and access his approach.
DeleteAs Darwin writes his hypotheses they were ideas which had yet to be proven, but once evidence does not support his hypothesis, it does not mean he is wrong just that he is not completely right. Using evidence that does not support his hypothesis can redirect him to a new and improved hypothesis, a "hypothesis 2.0." Referring to Thomas Edison when he failed over and over again he just said he did not fail, but he just found ways to not create the light bulb.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your opinion on how Darwin's opposing evidence can lead to a new and improved hypothesis. I also like how you used Thomas Edison as an example someone who doesn't see his mistakes as failures
DeleteI completely agree with you Alex. No respectable scientist would scrap their ideas on the first sign of opposition. Also, no respectable scientist would blindly supports something that has been credibly proven incorrect. So, you must integrate opposing evidence into your new ideas, in an effort to make your new ideas stronger and more well-founded than your previous ones.
DeleteI agree with your opinion of how his hypothesis was not wrong and it was just not totally right. I also like how you used evidence to support your answer.
DeleteI agree completely- if a scientist is not willing to roll with the punches and modify their idea where it is needed, they are no better than an amateur - despite all their schooling and experience. Many changes may have to be made, chaining you hypothesis again till you have a "hypothesis 20.0", but every change brings you closer and eventually you will create you "light bulb"
Delete"A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them." - John C. Maxwell
I believe that as a whole, the meaning of this quote is directed towards the significance of having both a null hypothesis as well as an original or alternate hypothesis. During an experiment, Darwin is stating that it is crucial to record as much data as possible in order to come up with a conclusion quickly and accurately. Even when data does not support the hypothesis, it should still be recorded because when there is a difference between the expected and the observed, the null hypothesis has been rejected. As only 1 hypothesis will be supported, when the null is rejected, the original hypothesis of the person performing the experiment proves to be correct. Without statistical data and accurate observations proving points for each side of the argument, the null hypothesis will not be able to be rejected. Also, I believe this quote is significant because Charles Darwin is stating how crucial it is for someone to keep an open mind, willing to accept not only what they believe, but also another side of the argument from a different perspective.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you directly connected Darwin's quote to null hypotheses and alternate hypotheses. By recognizing the possibilities of contradictions in his work, Darwin really supports the necessity of alternate hypotheses and having an open mind because, more often than not, you won't always be right.
DeleteI understand why Darwin would consider evidence that contradicts a theory important. In logic and mathematics, an indirect proof can be of equal or higher value to a direct one. In an indirect proof, statement "a" is proved by disproving "not a". In Darwin's case, evidence proving something not to be true could prove something else to be true, making the evidence extremely valuable. Also, all evidence should be noted because the experiment is incomplete and biased if the evidence is disregarded.
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting that you bring up the idea that contradictory evidence can be used to develop new theories. I agree with this idea since exceptions to what we expect lead us to wonder why that exception occurred, and can often lead to new discoveries. A good example of this is the Michelson-Morley experiment. Before, everyone thought that light traveled through a medium, known as the "aether". Since the medium must be moving with respect to the Earth in some way, it would affect the speed of light similar to how the current of a river affects the speed of a boat. However, this was not observed, despite multiple changes to the experiment to ensure that there were no outside factors influencing the experiment. It is interesting to note in this case that most of the public, as well as the actual performers of the experiment, refused to accept the results of the experiment as true for a significant period of time because they were so revolutionary at the time, and because they contradicted what was expected. Einstein was one of the only people who accepted the results as true, and this eventually led to his formulation of special relativity.
DeleteSeeing the other comments, it’s apparent that we all agree that you need to recognize failure and with that, Darwin shows a kind of modesty in this quote as well since he notes down contradictions so that he can improve his work. He somewhat expects failure to come sooner or later and makes science seem like writing in that you are constantly editing and revising. These edits and criticisms, or contradictions, that he jots down gets him closer to getting the final product and true solution. You can’t know the right answer until you've eliminated all other possible choices, thus noting every contradiction is merely Darwin crossing off possibilities until there’s only one left.
ReplyDeleteI agree with how you state Darwin was narrowing down his possibilities to obtain the true answer. As students we have teachers to help us along the right track, but Darwin had no such help, and he was discovering things that were completely new. Instead of giving up when he found out he was wrong, he continued until he could confidently say he was correct, as all other possibilities disproved.
DeleteI agree about Darwin eliminating wrong answers to develop a correct statement. That part of the scientific process is always why you can't take anything for granted, since new evidence and data is always emerging that might contradict preexisting theories, and you always have to be ready to change your ideas, no matter how old or entrenched they are.
DeleteFailure, for me, is a main component of learning. Without failure you cannot expand the horizons of your mind and dive deeper into the reasons of why you may be incorrect, and thus how you could be corrected. I believe Darwin wrote his 'special notes' to stick in his mind during his experiments so that he could consider them with every action he took thereafter. He could not be sure he was right if there was nothing to prove his theory. As aforementioned, 'special notes' helped Darwin remember that specific point. This method could be translated to our studies in AP Biology. Every lesson we should be learning something new, or something that contradicts our initial theories. Without remembering these we cannot further our learning, so we should ensure to remember them by writing comprehensive notes. As a student it is good practice to do this, but in Darwin's case it could have lead to new discoveries which at that time could have lead to an 'evolution' in science.
ReplyDeleteI think I agree with the main idea of what you are trying to say, but would clarify that I think what Darwin was trying to say was more a general/metaphorical statement about the importance of considering evidence that does not support a hypothesis in order to consider new angles and remained unbiased as well as adequately respond to refutations of one's theory, rather than a literal note (mental or physical) that helped him remember to consider means of proving his theories. This may have been what you were getting at, but I found it got slightly lost in translation. Or perhaps we simply interpreted it differently.
DeleteDarwin is implying that scientists should consider all of the evidence, whether it supports or weakens their hypothesis. In fact, proving a hypothesis incorrect can be more useful because the opposing evidence can lead to new ideas or theories that one hasn’t thought of before. Opposing evidence is more difficult to accept, but it can give a new perspective. Scientists can use contradictory evidence to gain more knowledge of their topic, and it gives them a chance to revise their experiment, leading to a more accurate hypothesis.
ReplyDeleteI agree where this contradictory data can, and should, lead to new ideas and theories. To be a good scientist one shouldn't shy away from unsupportive data and can always adapt and improve.
DeleteI agree that scientists should be unbiased and make note of all evidence. This mindset can open up the doorway to new theories and ideas that were previously not considered before. In many ways, proving a hypothesis as incorrect is just as crucial as proving it correct.
DeleteDarwin is simply trying to say something along the lines of keeping your friends close, but your enemies even closer (in a scientific context, of course). If you're familiar enough with your own research and ideas, then recalling that which supports them shouldn't be a hassle--that's the easy part. However, it's much more important to understand the evidence that doesn't defend your research. You need to actively consider this unsupportive evidence in an attempt to counter it, for the sake of your research's validity. You can look for its own flaws, or do something yourself to disprove it; anything to demonstrate its invalidity.
ReplyDeleteInteresting how you say that you need to actively consider the evidence to counter it because it may help you in the future for testing future hypotheses. If a scientist actively examines the unsupportive evidence, he/she may find flaws in his evidence gathering, which result in the contradictions to the hypothesis. By closely examining the contradictory evidence, the scientist may be able to save his/her own hypothesis instead of abandoning it.
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ReplyDeleteDarwin basically means that contradictory evidence is much more useful than supportive in creating a scientific theory about the world. Only by assimilating contradictory evidence into an earlier hypothesis can one eventually come to a conclusion; oftentimes, this takes many years, with some scientists picking up the theories of older ones and combining or testing them to formulate new ones. It's very important for a good scientist to be flexible, adapt to new evidence and never take as totally proven any theory about the world.
ReplyDeleteI agree...for the most part. But I don’t think Darwin is saying that one type of evidence is better than the other in this quote, I think he is saying that you need to put an emphasis on contradictory evidence, not because it is more important but because it is easier to forget.
DeleteIn this quote, Darwin is saying that recording evidence that contradicts a theory is just as useful, if not more useful, than evidence that supports the theory. I think this is especially true because for each correct theory, there are hundreds of incorrect ones. This quote tells us that it is much easier to use null hypotheses to decrease the size of the hypothesis pool than it is to search through a massive list of possible hypotheses for the correct ones. In addition, by testing null hypotheses, a scientist can raise new questions, rather than just finding evidence to support a hypothesis.
ReplyDeleteConducting an experiment in order to find evidence to support a hypothesis is getting yourself on the wrong track and places you in a biased mentality. Testing a hypothesis should be about evaluating a prediction.
DeleteHumans naturally want their own ideas to be supported, so in order for scientists to remain unbiased they need to pay extra attention to that which does not support the idea being tested.
ReplyDeleteAlso because a hypothesis is "innocent until proven guilty." Only one piece of evidence has to contradict it to prove it incorrect.
DeleteDarwin here shows the mindset that other scientists should all have. Instead of simply focusing on the evidence that supports their hypothesis, they should also make note of those that contradict it. As a scientist, you cannot be afraid to be wrong, or to make wrong assumptions. When the information does not support their hypothesis, it helps the scientist create a new hypothesis and continue to test that. They cannot blatantly ignore information that does not support their hypothesis. Scientists have to be adaptable and openminded to any possible new ideas.
ReplyDeleteI agree that as a scientist, you must be unbiased and open to different suggestions. Even if you want your assumptions to be proved as true, you cannot simply toss aside information that does not support your hypothesis.
DeleteThe whole point of conducting an experiment is that the outcome is unknown. There will be times when the data is contradictory to the original hypothesis which does not mean it is necessarily wrong and if it is, this new data can lead to a new and different discovery than the one previously thought.
ReplyDeleteI like how you point out how it is important to keep an open mind when performing an experiment. Sometimes, we want to believe that something is true, even when it may not be, so provided that someone follows this rule, they will have a better chance of producing more accurate results.
DeleteThis quote reminds me of how scientific laws and theories are really developed. Scientists perform many experiments, and laws and theories are possible explanations of the results observed. When we find that the law or theory holds true in several cases, under different kinds of testing, the law or theory is accepted as true. However, even thousands or millions of examples that support a law or theory cannot suffice as proof that the law or theory is true. On the other hand, one counter example is enough to prove a law or theory false, or at least partially false. This is why I think evidence contradicting one's hypothesis is much more important than evidence that supports it, and part of why Darwin draws attention to it in his quote.
ReplyDeleteI disagree that evidence contradicting a hypothesis is more important than supporting evidence. Even though humans are unable to view the world from a reference frame that we are not a part of, so that nothing that is supported by experiment can ever be concluded to be true, it is still more useful to be able to (with certain assumptions) be able to approximate natural law to a degree where a practical application can be found.
DeleteDarwin's point is that, to be truly accurate and impartial, a scientist must consider all evidence that results from an experiment, whether it supports the original hypothesis or not. Despite the fact that it is in human nature to want to be correct, one cannot ignore contradictions in an effort to prove his or her point. The contradictions need to be thoroughly addressed and overcome, or otherwise dealt with so that the pursuit of scientific truth can remain accurate and unbiased.
ReplyDeleteI like how you pointed out how people instinctively favor their own opinions and assertions, often blatantly casting off contradictions. It is crucial to be unbiased and take in any additional information.
DeleteThe idea behind this quote is that it is necessary to consider the evidence that is either contrary to one's hypothesis or which does not support it both to fully understand all angles of a theory/hypothesis and to be able to argue for its validity. A theory cannot really be determined to be true unless contradicting evidence is identified and addressed - to simply assume something is true because some evidence suggests it would be presumptious and not in keeping with the impartial spirit of scientific research. Additionally, in order to be capable of aptly defending one's findings or argument in the face of disagreement, one must be familiar with the details of the arguments which contradict said findings.
ReplyDeleteGood point. Just like in any argument, science-related or not, it's really important to have a complete understanding of as many angles as possible. Only in this way can you formulate your own objective conclusion.
DeleteIn this quote, Darwin is pointing out that the evidence that counters your idea(s) may be the most important. This is because contradictory evidence can explain why you may be wrong and force you to look at the problem from multiple perspectives. So in a sense, conflicting evidence may be used to strengthen your own hypothesis. He also adds that it is easy to remember or believe supportive evidence which justifies the idea that the easiest path is not always the best.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your idea that contradictory idea has the effect of improving your hypothesis by encouraging you to look at the topic from various angles. I like how you interpreted what Darwin meant by "...supportive evidence I can remember without trying..."
DeleteI do agree that the evidence that might not support your original claim is in fact important in the process. It allows the scientist to change or alter his hypothesis making it more accurate. I like how you mentioned that an experiment can lead in different directions and how there is always the easy way and the hard way.
DeleteDarwin is stating that data that does not support your hypothesis is just as important as the data that does. Contradictory evidence is important in that it can encourage you to explore additional facets of the topic and help you refine your hypothesis.
ReplyDeleteDarwin points out that you can have all the evidence you want to back up your claim, but it only takes one piece of evidence that proves otherwise to completely invalidate your hypothesis. In reality, it's more important to dispel the opposite argument to prove a hypothesis than collecting more evidence that supports it.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with your analysis of Darwin's quote because I find that you are taking it to the extreme. Nowhere in Darwin's statement does he in any way infer that having one bit of contradictory information is a way to completely invalidate a hypothesis. If that were the case, countless scientists who were ridiculed for their studies would have had to consider their hypotheses invalid because of the "evidence" proving otherwise. Instead, Darwin claims that opposing evidence should be treated as encouragement to explore new ideas in a variety of fashions and that it's important to be open-minded. And also (not that I'm purposely trying to play Devil's advocate), I find your second statement to be nonsensical and even false to a certain degree. How can dispelling an argument be more important than finding supporting evidence? Think of it this way, disproving an opposing argument may prove your opponents wrong, but it doesn't prove that you're right. You can disprove others' arguments all you want, but if you don't have evidence to justify your beliefs then you won't get anywhere.
DeleteSeth, while I agree with the overall sentiment, I believe that Darwin meant more to say that without considering all of the evidence, not just the evidence he wanted to exist, one cannot find an answer. On the flip-side, if he was looking to disprove a theorem, and instead came across evidence supporting it, he would be obligated to view that on the same level as what he was originally searching for.
DeleteAs a scientist, Darwin's notion to take in both assuring and opposing data contributes to discovering new theories and ideologies. Without trial and error, one cannot correct past mistakes. Darwin says it is easy to recall supportive evidence, as there are usually more contradictions. But unlike many other scientists, he does not merely dismiss them, he will make use of opposing evidence as stepping stones to reach further advancements. A seemingly incoherent piece of information can prove to verify other possible answers.
ReplyDeleteIn this quote Darwin is acknowledging the danger of how easy it is to get so wrapped up in being right that you forget about being wrong, which results in unsound conclusions. Therefore he is stressing the importance of keeping track of conflicting evidence to ensure that it isn’t forgotten in the face of more exciting supporting evidence, which in turn helps guarantee a more balanced and well founded conclusion
ReplyDeleteI agree that focusing on being right can lead to unsound conclusions. If you are not open to the idea that your hypothesis may not be correct, then you may not reach an accurate conclusion
DeleteWhat Darwin means with this quote is that one should take note of evidence that challenges your hypothesis, because it may be even more beneficial than evidence that supports your hypothesis. No matter how much evidence you have to back up your claims, one piece of contradictory evidence can disprove your hypothesis. Contradictory evidence can be used by scientists to gain a new perspective and to eventually reach a true answer. Instead of dismissing a piece of evidence that does not reinforce what he thinks is right, Darwin uses it as a tool to guide him to a valid conclusion.
ReplyDeleteDarwin's quote serves as a commentary on open-mindedness. People tend to focus on what they WANT to observe, in support of their own claims, and will often overlook other ideas or evidence, which can lead to biased or insular thinking. Instead, Darwin suggests that consideration of contradictory evidence allows people to examine new perspectives that will shape and modify their previous claims.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you in the sense that the "consideration of contradictory evidence allows people to examine new perspectives" because perhaps Darwin in acknowledging opposition against his hypothesis he would be able to improve it by considering other people's ideas; therefore, producing a more correct hypothesis.
DeleteCharles Darwin makes this statement as a way of presenting his attitude toward his field of research and discovery. While it is always reassuring to acquire evidence that supports one's claims or beliefs, Darwin acknowledges that one cannot ignore contradictory information when it is present. As a result, instead of allowing opposing data to deter or frustrate him in his endeavors, Darwin explains that he treats these evidences as "supportive"; they encourage him to dig deeper into the truth and approach new discoveries from every angle so that he may be truly effective in his pursuit for knowledge.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with your interpretation of "supportive" evidence. I think that the supportive evidence is just a set of evidence that supports his theory. What he is trying to get across is that to have unbiased finding the scientist must consider the odd and examples against his.
DeleteI don't think Augustus was referring to the kind of supporting evidence you are thinking of. He is saying that Darwin looks at opposing evidence as encouragement to look deeper into whatever it is he is researching. Because of this I agree with Augustus' interpretation of the evidence in that even if it goes against Darwin, it can still support him in that it gives him an opportunity to find new answers.
DeleteI agree with Mitchell and Gus that Darwin treats contradictory evidence as a reason to look further into the topic at hand. Just because there is contradictory evidence doesn't mean that the hypothesis should immediately be dismissed as completely invalid. There could be underlying factors as to why the evidence is contradictory, and that should always be looked into before coming to any conclusion.
DeleteIn this quote Darwin is acknowledging that there will always be people against you and or your beliefs, but in the science world this opposition should never make you abandon your hypothesis but it should serve as motivation for you to prove them wrong.
ReplyDeleteIn this quote, Charles Darwin is stating the importance of considering contradictory evidence. If you only focus on proving yourself right, then you are narrow minded to other answers or explanations. Evidence that may not support the original hypothesis can lead to new discoveries and new ideas. If you do not consider contradictory evidence, you may not reach an accurate conclusion.
ReplyDeleteRather than accept only that information which will aid his conclusion, Darwin understands that an answer cannot be found if one excludes all possibilities outside of a person's original imaginings. In this approach to gathering evidence, he accepts what many of us are unwilling to do: the idea that he may have been wrong in the first place. I believe that we can model our own scientific research after Darwin's methods, allowing for multiple answers to a single question, that, in many cases, there is no absolute, indisputable "yes" or "no." Unless we strive to put truth above our desire for perfection, we may be obscuring truth, and that is not what science is meant to do.
ReplyDeleteI like your point that there can be many answers to a single questions and science isn’t always “black and white.” I agree with your interpretation of the quote and feel that sometimes people cannot admit that they made a mistake or were wrong and feel that accepting our mistakes is an important step to improving our original ideas.
DeleteThe point that Darwin is trying to make is that by having the assumption that your theory is absolute is flawed and the wrong way to approach research. With assumption like that, it can formulate bias. On that note, bias can create errors and ignore counter-theories that can be potentially pivotal information.
ReplyDeleteDarwin in this quote is trying to say that there always is the option of having a false hypothesis. It is not because the evidence contradicts the original hypothesis that it should be disregarded as important. That evidence can help a scientist reach more conclusions and could expand his knowledge on the topic. The evidence that was expected is easy to remember for obvious reasons but the evidence that is contradictory is the evidence someone might try to ignore to make sure a conclusion is reached simply and fast. However a complete and accurate conclusion cannot be reached with only part of the evidence, all the different possibilities need to be accounted for.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point that contradictory evidence is important because it can lead to further research and more comprehensive conclusions.
DeleteDarwin’s quote serves as a reminder that although supportive evidence is sought after in an experiment, contradictory evidence should not be overlooked. It is important to note contradictory evidence because it can aid in completely understanding a conclusion, or spark further research regarding a particular subject.
ReplyDeleteI didn't think about the idea that contradictory evidence could spark further research. However, I agree that new conclusions and further experimentation could be needed as a result of finding such evidence.
DeleteI like how you mentioned that contradictory evidence aids in completely understanding a conclusion. I did not think about this at first, but I completely agree. Contradictory evidence doesn't only help scientists create different hypotheses; it also helps them see every side or perspective of the experiment which will lead to better results.
DeleteI agree with what you said about that things which sound contradictory on the surface must not be overlooked. If anything these things should be sought after more carefully then the "correct" answers. We typically tend to look for, or find, only information which backs up what we believe. By seeking information which falsifies our own research we can lead a more thorough investigation.
DeleteWhen testing a hypothesis it is often easy to find evidence that supports your claim. However, it is often the contradictory evidence that is the most important. Darwin takes "special notes" about contradictory evidence because it allows him to fully prove or disprove his hypothesis. If you only look for the evidence that will lead you to the answer you want your limiting your experiment because the evidence may not be completely relevant if there is something to disprove it. In order to reach a full conclusion, scientists must take the time to look for the evidence that doesn't support their hypothesis because its this evidence that will make or break their claim.
ReplyDeleteI think Darwin means that it is important to have an unbiased take on any theory so that scientist can gather a raw and real understanding of the subject. That is why he’s open to contradictory evidence, because it’s not there to humiliate him but to help him. This quote also highlights the need to collaborate as one person may not have all the answers and as a team, scientists can stay open to different viewpoints. Additionally I think Darwin hints at the need to be thorough in research as he knows all of the “supportive evidence” meaning when researching he did not only draw on his evidence but used the work of others to help him prove his theory. The overarching message Darwin tries to communicate is the need to be open to all types of help; both supportive and contradictory when formulating theories and opinions.
ReplyDeleteI think you worded this really thoughtfully and hit the nail on the head. Especially the line "it’s not there to humiliate him but to help him" -- that was my reading of the quote too!
DeleteDarwin's openness to evidence, whether or not it personally hurt *his* hypothesis or not, is a clear indicator of a good scientist in my opinion.
I think Darwin would agree that when conducting an experiment it would be unwise to expect perfect results. Evidence that goes against Darwin’s expectations is useful, and thus important to remember, because it allows him to figure out where his original predictions may have gone wrong. This information can help a scientist ask new questions, carry out new experiments, make new predictions, and gain a better understanding of the subject matter he or she is working with. Evidence that does not support a scientist sparks discussions that supportive evidence simply doesn’t because supportive evidence is already discussed and somewhat expected.
ReplyDeleteI also feel Darwin’s message has a strong connection to Friday’s lesson. The concept of a null hypothesis helps scientists because it means that evidence contradicting the null hypothesis can help make conclusions about the alternate hypothesis or vice versa. This makes contradictory evidence important not only to further one’s understanding of something, but also to make better conclusions about that something.
I agree in that hypotheses are more useful when they lead to more questions and more research because of non-supportive evidence then when they appear to completely match expectations. A good scientists looks for the exceptions and greater understanding. All and all, I think you did a good job of summing up the ideas presented in the quote.
DeleteCharles Darwin is saying that it is important for him to make notes about evidence that contradicts him so that he is able to rule out potential explanations. It makes sense that it would be easier for him to remember supportive evidence without trying, simply because he naturally understands why his theory is correct and therefore why the evidence came out as it did.
ReplyDeleteI think Darwin is referencing null hypothesis. To have evidence contradict your hypothesis, it means you go back to your null. You remember the evidence because it disprove the hypothesis you spent time and effort on, but it's an important and valuable part of the process regardless! It still helps you determine what is true and can point you to formulating a better hypothesis.
ReplyDeleteI think that the point Darwin is trying to make is that science is based on facts, and most of the time there will be facts that contradict your hypothesis. When performing an experiment, areal scientist will consider all of the information they find, especially if it does not support their original predictions. Having your original hypothesis disproved is sometimes very beneficial because it drives you to write a null hypothesis or one that is better than the previous. Scientists must always be open-minded in order to reach a successful conclusion.
ReplyDeleteEssentially what Darwin is saying is that it is always easier to find evidence to support your hypothesis and even easier to remember these because the supposedly prove you "right". However, in science the evidence that does not support your hypothesis can be much more important and therefore special attention should be paid to them. With this evidence hypotheses can be revised and greater understanding of phenemona gained. This is related to the null hypothesis because it focuses on whether or not the actual outcome matches the expected.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this quote by Darwin I was reminded of a statement by Thomas Edison in which he said "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Edison's quotation has the same idea conveyed as Darwin's does. He looks at his work not as either correct or incorrect, but as helping him reach a final goal. For these men the "failures" contribute just as equally to reaching their ultimate goal in research as their "successes" do. The end result is furthering an idea, not facilitating the furthering of a specific idea, just as they men did. In the end both researchers contributed massively to the scientific community thanks to their work.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your connection to Edison's quote. I feel that all evidence in experiments is important, both supportive and unsupportive. All the information collected in a test goes toward proving a point and proving an idea. Many scientists hit obstacles when trying to prove their hypothesis, however, these obstacles are very important in guiding researchers in the right direction.
DeleteI agree, Jeremy. I think that working to qualify hypotheses to be as accurate as possible benefits the scientific community as a whole much more than publishing results that the scientist knows may not be correct or complete.
DeleteFinding evidence that goes against your hypothesis, or failing in an experiment, can often be more important and more valuable than having everything go according to plans the first time around. The failure and contradiction act like dead ends in a maze, each time a scientist hits one, he or she knows that she's gone in the wrong direction, and that the right one is a different way. In a way, each piece of evidence that contradicts the hypothesis is like one step in editing an essay. Each time there is failure, the experiment gets farther from the wrong way of doing things and closer to the right way. The supportive evidence is easy to remember of course, because it's what you were hoping to see, however, it's hard to know if you've simply gotten lucky and are just stumbling blindly in the right direction somehow. Failure is what makes the wrong direction certain.
ReplyDeleteWe all want to find supportive evidence for our experiments- it shows you've put thought into your hypothesis and have a keen sense on what the outcome will be. You've succeeded as a scientist. Yet, Darwin points out that the effort he puts in is into the hypothesis that contradicts him. Though we never want to be "wrong", sometimes it can be productive in that it would force you to approach the experiment from an alternate perspective and look at it through a new lens. Put the extra effort in when something doesn't go your way, and don't narrow your scope to find the perfect answer that you initially are searching for.
ReplyDeleteI agree that we all want to find evidence that supports our theories. However, like Emily says, it is productive to pay attention to evidence that opposes your findings and look at your theory from a new perspective.
DeleteI also think that it is really important to record all of the evidence that does not support your hypothesis. Doing this can help strengthen your theory if this evidence is interpreted and used modify your hypothesis. Additionally, not taking note of such data would be using a biased thought process. Personally, this is a difficult and humbling thing to do. Being your own devil’s advocate keeps you intellectually honest.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that is is really important to record all evidence, even if it does not support your hypothesis. This means a variable is affecting your results or your hypothesis is incorrect. It is also important not to be biased and let the evidence speak for itself.
DeleteIn saying this, Darwin is emphasizing the fact that true scientists should always objectively look at an issue, whether or not it supports one's hypothesis or not. This ties perfectly into the idea of a "null hypothesis", because a null hypothesis is a a hypothesis where there is no relationship between two observed phenomena, and Darwin speaks just about the importance at scrutinizing the issue to make verify whether such a scenario exists or not.
ReplyDeleteYou've made a vital connection which I did not in my analysis of this quote. That he is essentially gathering information which acts as a null hypothesis through thorough observation of whatever he may be studying.
DeleteDarwin is absolutely correct to record (and hopefully publish) contradictory evidence to his hypotheses. Thoroughness in experimentation is still key in the scientific community today- scientists work hard to reach conclusions that are novel enough to publish and attract attention, but when the experiments fail and the conclusion isn’t groundbreaking, scientists must decide whether to publish a conclusion they know isn’t fully accurate, or continue to try different angles until they find something they can publish with integrity.
ReplyDeleteI disagree because integrity and writing to attract attention are mutually exclusive. Writing to pursue readers is in fact the antithesis of Darwin's true statement. Darwin's statement reflects the ideology that the mark of a true scientist is to publish and do justice to the field of science, not tailor one's results to pander to the readers of scientific publications.
DeleteTo clarify my above statement, scientists in academia have a difficult time getting results published if the outcome is that their hypothesis was proven false (e.g. a scientist hypothesizes that x novel theory accurately describes a known phenomenon, but results indicate that x does not in fact describe the phenomenon, scientific journals will be reluctant to publish the findings, and research universities put pressure on their professors to get findings published). My statement that “scientists work hard to reach conclusions that are novel enough to publish and attract attention” is explained by the aforementioned. It does not suggest, nor is it meant to suggest, that the purpose of scientific research is to “attract attention,” but rather that modern scientists face ethical dilemmas when the true findings of their research are inconsistent with the more “publishable” claim. In these dilemmas, Darwin advocates that scientists disregard the easy route of working to prove a hypothesis true prematurely- we are in clear agreement.
DeleteCharles Darwin makes a vital comment on the importance of contradictory information. In gathering and making note of instances where ones prediction or hypothesis does not prove true, the foundation for a more precise and accurate theory is formed. It is through what does not fit that new theories may be developed and refined in order to create one which may prove true in all instances.
ReplyDeleteI like how you applied this directly to solving scientific problems and hypotheses. This can also be related to a null hypothesis which you touched upon. The most accurate data is what is most important and this can only be done with thorough research and consideration of all evidence that supports the hypothesisOR the null hypothesis.
DeleteI believe that you are correct with Darwin's approach to scientific method. The most important thing in science is accuracy which can only be found in unbiased research
DeleteI believe what Darwin is trying to say is that you think your hypothesis is right and it feels good when your evidence supports you. However, when the evidence contradicts what you believe, it causes you to study it more closely. As if to say, if everything happened as predicted there would be no science.
ReplyDeleteDarwin tried to put forward that finding the truth is more important than sinply trying to find information that supports one's idea. People often overlook evidence that does not support or even contradicts their evidence to preserve their pride. This mentality does not just have to be considered in the sciences but should also be considered in every day life. All arguments or opinions should have an unbiased point of view that has considered all the evidence against or for it. Throughout history there have been many examples of people not considering all the evidence. One example of this is the Roman Catholic hundreds of years ago when they denied the research of several early astronomers who came to the conclusion that the universe was much more massive and contained many more planets than just the sun, moon, and Earth. Only when the number of these forward thinkers greatly increased did the closed mindset of the Church open up to the new evidence against their previous assumptions. For science to improve and for the truth to be learned people must considered all the facts before making a conclusion. This is what Darwin is supporting in this quote.
ReplyDeleteThis was a excellent response, Jackson, as I also believe that true scientists should consider both sides of the data, not just the one that supports their specific hypothesis. Likewise, only when we are able to view all sides of data with unbiased eyes will true science be able to advance.
DeleteDarwin in this instance is commenting on the fact that supportive details for his theories are easily utilized, but contradictory details are also very important to note down. Thus Darwin is commenting on the sides of science that require both sides and aspects of the evidence. Evidence towards science is necessary to be taken note of, as the fact that they do not support one's hypothesis is irrelevant to the fact that it is important to further science.
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