It is far better to do the right thing wrong than to do the wrong thing right.
Russell L. AckoffRead
Certainty is not biologically possible. We must learn (and teach our children) to tolerate the unpleasantness of uncertainty. Science has given us the language and tools of probabilities. We have methods for analyzing and ranking opinion according to their likelihood of correctness. That is enough.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Embracing uncertainty is essential for growth and understanding; science provides tools to navigate it.
This quote emphasizes the importance of accepting uncertainty as a natural part of life, rather than seeking absolute certainty, which is unattainable. It suggests that through science, we have developed methods to deal with uncertainty by weighing probabilities and analyzing differing opinions, enabling us to make informed decisions despite the inherent unpredictability of life.
Themes
UncertaintyScienceProbabilitiesLearningAcceptance
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about the importance of teaching children to manage their anxieties about the future.
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