The history of acceptance of new theories frequently shows the following steps: At first the new idea is treated as pure nonsense, not worth looking at. Then comes a time when a multitude of contradictory objections are raised, such as: the new theory is too fancy, or merely a new terminology; it is not fruitful, or simply wrong. Finally a state is reached when everyone seems to claim that he had always followed this theory. This usually marks the last state before general acceptance.
Interpretation
New ideas often face skepticism before gaining acceptance, illustrating the challenging journey of scientific theories. Over time, criticisms fade, and the ideas are embraced as obvious truths.
Kurt Lewin highlights the typical progression of how innovative theories are received in scientific discourse. Initially dismissed as nonsense, these ideas attract criticism and skepticism as they challenge established norms. However, with time, as they gain traction and credibility, the very same theories are eventually embraced and recognized, often with individuals claiming they have always supported them. This cycle emphasizes the sometimes arduous path of acceptance for groundbreaking thoughts and innovations.
In practice
In a science class discussing the evolution of theories, this quote can emphasize the importance of remaining open to new ideas.
The American culture ideal of the "self-made-man," of everyone "standing on his own feet" seemed as tragic a picture as the initiative-destroying dependence on a benevolent despot. He felt and perceived clearly that we all need continuous help from each other, and that this type of interdependence is the greatest challenge to maturity of individual and group functioning.
Learning is more effective when it is an active rather than a passive process.
If you want truly to understand something, try to change it.
Fortunately I experienced Max Wertheimer's teaching in Berlin and collaborated for over a decade with Wolfgang Köhler. I need not emphasize my debts to these outstanding personalities. The fundamental ideas of Gestalt theory are the foundation of all our investigations in the field of the will, of affection, and of the personality.
The 2nd law of thermodynamics has the same degree of truth as the statement that if you throw a tumblerful of water into the sea, you cannot get the same tumblerful of water out again.
For anyone inclined to caricature environmental history as 'environmental determinism,' the contrasting histories of the Dominican Republic and Haiti provide a useful antidote. Yes, environmental problems do constrain human societies, but the societies' responses also make a difference.
The invention of the scientific method and science is, I'm sure we'll all agree, the most powerful intellectual idea, the most powerful framework for thinking and investigating and understanding and challenging the world around us that there is, and it rests on the premise that any idea is there to be attacked. If it withstands the attack then it lives to fight another day and if it doesn't withstand the attack then down it goes. Religion doesn't seem to work like that.
During the Middle Ages there were all kinds of crazy ideas, such as that a piece of rhinoceros horn would increase potency. Then a method was discovered for separating the ideas - which was to try one to see if it worked, and if it didn't work, to eliminate it. This method became organized, of course, into science.
If your experiment needs statistics, you ought to have done a better experiment.
There we measure shadows, and we search among ghostly errors of measurement for landmarks that are scarcely more substantial.
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