T h e   U n i v e r s e

Truth, as a rule, is simple. In Galileo's lifetime, it was believed that the Earth was at the center of the universe and that the Sun, Moon and stars were on celestial spheres surrounding it. It was a nice idea, except for five stars that refused to behave the way they were supposed to. So, extra celestial spheres, epicycles and other factors were added to account for their wandering motion. Over time, though, the model became more and more complex as new observations were made which served to undermine the original premise. In the end, Galileo was right. There were no such things as celestial spheres, there were no epicycles, and the Earth was not at the center of the universe, or anything else. The universe had not changed. We did.

I think we are in a similar state right now. Forasmuch as we make every effort to remain objective, there is still a tendency to cling to just as many old assumptions and deep seated biases as our predecessors, often without even realizing it. It is human nature. So if my description appears a little awkward, it may be because I am forced to use language that was never intended to allow for the alternative I am describing.

On the day Steve Jobs died, I had an opportunity to speak with Neil De Grasse Tyson. He feels that the scientific method is the only credible tool in our inventory that can lead us to the truth about the nature of the world. He sees no merit in philosophical arguments. I would agree were it not for the fact that what he feels is itself, a philosophical argument. A philosophical frame of reference tells us what to look for and how to look. It also tells us what to ignore and what is worthy of our attention. It is the starting point. It is the idea. And with the right idea, you can change the world. Without that idea, it won't really matter much what else you do.