Ignorance

How It Drives Science

By: Stuart Firestein

Narrated by: David Copelin

Length: 4 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

Knowledge is a big subject, says Stuart Firestein, but ignorance is a bigger one. And it is ignorance - not knowledge - that is the true engine of science. Most of us have a false impression of science as a surefire, deliberate, step-by-step method for finding things out and getting things done. In fact, says Firestein, more often than not, science is like looking for a black cat in a dark room, and there may not be a cat in the room. The process is more hit-or-miss than you might imagine, with much stumbling and groping after phantoms. But it is exactly this not knowing, this puzzling over thorny questions or inexplicable data, that gets researchers into the lab early and keeps them there late, the thing that propels them, the very driving force of science.

Firestein shows how scientists use ignorance to program their work, to identify what should be done, what the next steps are, and where they should concentrate their energies. And he includes a catalog of how scientists use ignorance, consciously or unconsciously - a remarkable range of approaches that includes looking for connections to other research, revisiting apparently settled questions, using small questions to get at big ones, and tackling a problem simply out of curiosity. The book concludes with four case histories - in cognitive psychology, theoretical physics, astronomy, and neuroscience - that provide a feel for the nuts and bolts of ignorance, the day-to-day battle that goes on in scientific laboratories and in scientific minds with questions that range from the quotidian to the profound. Turning the conventional idea about science on its head, Ignorance opens a new window on the true nature of research. It is a must-read for anyone curious about science.

©2012 Stuart Firestein (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Ignorant Bliss

This audio book was extremely informative and the case studies were amazing! Definitely worth it

Awesome!

As a frustrated science educator, I loved this book. Schools have turned "science" into a large body of facts to memorize. this book does a great job of explaining scientific thinking and the ability to embrace ignorance. Read it!

all true, but could be explored deeper

As a scientist myself, I agree with most of what was said, but I feel all the issues could have been explored more deeply. I understand why the author chose this approach, but I think the audience would benefit from a more profound discussion.

Excellent!

Every scientist should read this book! Accessible to none scientists and none experts. The author really does an amazing job explaining the process of doing science and what science is really about. Loved this book!

Good short rest

This book is simple enough to challenge your thinking and to give you a different view of science and how you perceive science. I'll recommend it without giving you the much. I want you to enjoy listening.

It turns out, I’m not dumb at all

At last there is a well written, easily understood, and pleasantly performed explanation that enables my previously thought shameful ignorance. Dumb is different from ignorant. I can proudly wear an “ignorance banner,” as I don’t know a lot of things, but I’m seeking after understanding—and, asking a lot questions. Thank you, Mr. Firestein.

Good to know ...

If you are pursuing a career in Sciences, consider listening to this book. And later, if you feel you must go a little deeper, consider the edX course on "Ignorance", offered by the Michael Smithson and Grabriele Bammer, from Australian National University.

Skip it

A largely pointless book. It gives some brief examples of scientific discoveries, but there are countless better books about science. I finished it at 2x speed.