Is Science Selfish? A PhD's Midnight Rambling
Somethings that take my sleep away 🌙
Here’s the thing about having a PhD (sometimes I question that, too): the “Ph” stands for philosophy, and sometimes those neurons decide to go rogue at 1 AM. So I started wondering: Is science actually rational, or is it just the perspective we’ve all agreed on for now, based on reasoning and logic?
“Rational means quality of being in spirit with reason or logic.”
Think about it: Newton’s law was the foundation of science for over two hundred years. Then Einstein came along with a new theory and basically said, “Actually, no.” What’s in today’s textbook might just be a historical note tomorrow. By the way, if you’re curious about the difference between a law and a theory, check out this video: 1, 2.
If science is always changing, how is it different from good belief systems like veganism or minimalism? Both collect evidence, have communities that discuss and improve ideas, and both can change when new information comes in.
The Selfish Science Hypothesis 🤔
This is where my thoughts start to get a little strange, so stick with me: Is science objectively selfish? Science is built to serve as the framework within which it works. It focuses on solving the problems it considers important and rewards discoveries that fit its current way of thinking. As Thomas Kuhn wrote:
“Normal science, the activity in which most scientists inevitably spend almost all their time, is predicated on the assumption that the scientific community knows what the world is like.” — The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
The community decides what’s interesting, funding bodies decide what gets funded, and journals decide what gets published. In a way, science serves itself. Isn’t that a kind of selfishness? Still, many people see this self-organization and change as a way for science to correct itself and move forward together. Instead of selfishness, it might be how science stays strong and flexible, always getting better through teamwork and discussion. Or maybe I’m just a tired postdoc with too many big questions on my mind ☕
But Wait, There’s a Constraint ⚖️
This is where I start to bring myself back to reality: Perspective-laden isn’t the same as arbitrary. The semiconductor in my laptop works. Vaccines stop diseases. Predictions either come true or they don’t. The universe has a way of keeping our beliefs in check. Minimalism’s main idea, that “simplicity is better” or “less is more,” can’t really be tested or proven wrong in a scientific way. But with science, nature decides what’s true,and sometimes it does so in a harsh way. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam once said:
“Science is a beautiful gift to humanity; we should not distort it.”
Maybe what seems like science’s “selfishness” is actually a strength, not a flaw. It’s focused on finding truth, or at least, on being reliable.
A Quote I Made Up (Feel Free to Steal) 😄
“Science is like a reliable friend who keeps changing how they give directions, but somehow, they always help you get home, and it’s hard to argue with them when they have evidence.” — Maybe A PhD at 2 AM
Reflections 💭
I don’t have all the answers. What I do have is curiosity and experiences that taught me to question everything, even the methods that led to my PhD. It’s a deep unknown, and I’m fine with that. The philosophy of science is messy. It sits in that awkward space between “we know things” and “do we really?” Maybe that discomfort is what matters most.
If you want to explore this topic more, the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy is a great place to spend a few hours, or even days 📚
Personal Note 🌟
Writing this made me remember why I first loved research, not for the papers or citations, but for the wonder and curiosity of figuring things out. The questions without easy answers. The 2 AM thoughts that won’t go away. Sometimes having a PhD brain feels like a curse. Other times, it’s a gift. Today, it’s both. 🧠✨
Thank you for reading! If any of this connects with your own late-night thoughts, I’d love to hear what you think. I hope you found something to learn or be curious about.
If you enjoyed this, please click the ❤️ heart at the end.
Disclaimer
This post is just me putting some of my own rambling thoughts into words. I’m a curious learner, and I make mistakes, sometimes ones you’d think only a kid would make, looking back. Bug me to make edits to the post.
Note: I used AI to help refine this post. The existential crisis, though, was all mine. 🫠
📧 Reach out for science chats, questions, or mentorship at [email protected] or my personal emails, or whichever medium you find me.