To solve a problem is to create new problems, new knowledge immediately reveals new areas of ignorance, and the need for new experiments. At least, in the field of fast reactions, the experiments do not take very long to perform.
Interpretation
Addressing one problem often leads to the discovery of additional problems and knowledge gaps.
George Porter’s quote emphasizes the iterative nature of knowledge acquisition and problem-solving. Each time we solve a problem, we uncover more questions and areas that require exploration, illustrating the ongoing cycle of learning and experimentation, particularly in scientific fields where new insights lead to further inquiry and challenges.
In practice
In a scientific conference discussing recent findings.
The feeling of awed wonder that science can give us is one of the highest experiences of which the human psyche is capable. It is a deep aesthetic passion to rank with the finest that music and poetry can deliver. It is truly one of the things that make life worth living and it does so, if anything, more effectively if it convinces us that the time we have for living is quite finite.
Science, my lad, has been built upon many errors; but they are errors which it was good to fall into, for they led to the truth.
Our Western science, ever since the 17th century, has been obsessed with the notion of control, of man dominating nature. This obsession has led to disaster.
Physicists analyse systems. Web scientists, however, can create the systems.
In less than eight years "The Origin of Species" has produced conviction in the minds of a majority of the most eminent living men of science. New facts, new problems, new difficulties as they arise are accepted, solved, or removed by this theory; and its principles are illustrated by the progress and conclusions of every well established branch of human knowledge.
The existence of nuclear weapons presents a clear and present danger to life on Earth.
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