The Power of Science

I'm delighted that The Huffington Post is launching a new Science Section today.

I've spent so much of the past 35 years conducting scientific research because I believe in the power of science. Albert Einstein once said, "Not everything that counts can be counted" -- not everything that's meaningful is measurable -- but much is.

Science is simply a powerful way of understanding what's real and what isn't, what's true and what's not. It can help us determine what works, what doesn't, for whom, and under what circumstances.

As we move into an era of politics in which facts seem increasingly irrelevant -- "and now, for the other side, let's hear from the Flat Earth Society" -- the scientific method requires scientists to defend their work. And although scientists can often be as resistant to new ideas as anyone, the process of science ensures that, over time, good ideas and theories prevail.

A valid scientific theory is predictive, verifiable, and replicable. To me, that's beautiful.

 

Follow Dr. Dean Ornish on Twitter: www.twitter.com/deanornishmd

Comments

[Fred Hahn]

07:51 PM on 01/17/2012

Very good! Now, it would be nice to see the HP disclose the scientific evidence on how well a low carbohydrate, high fat diet improves and "cures" type 2 diabetes.

[SeekingClarity]

12:13 AM on 01/06/2012

"-- the scientific method requires scientists to defend their work. And although scientists can often be as resistant to new ideas as anyone, the process of science ensures that, over time, good ideas and theories prevail."

Apparently we often do a lousy job of providing children with strategies by which to achieve reliable results. Scientists are human and may resist (even good) new ideas, or may misinterpret evidence, but their procedures are designed to promote ongoing improvements of verification and understanding. We experience this reliability in the technologies to which science is applied. Why do we ignore the advantages of disciplined logic and empirical verification in so many other aspects of life?

[oilfield]

03:21 PM on 01/05/2012

your heart diet works well...i know someone that had a full reversal of heart issues after following it rigidly for a few years and less so now.

[CDL1]

02:23 PM on 01/05/2012

Ah, blessed science.

[Nosybear]

12:27 PM on 01/05/2012

Is there any way to become a blogger on science and business? Because the two do belong together.

[nyscof]

08:05 AM on 01/05/2012

Unfortunately, politics often gets in the way of science. For example, modern science indicates that ingesting fluoride does not reduce tooth decay and can deliver adverse drug effects instead. Yet, public health officials guided by organized dentistry keeps water fluoridation alive. Almost 3/4 of US water suppliers add unnecessary, health-robbing, money-wasting fluoride chemicals into public water supplies in a failed effort to reduce tooth decay

Fluoridation Opposition is Scientific, Respectable & Growing

More than 3,926 professionals (including 331 dentists and 443 MD’s) urge that fluoridation be stopped . See statement: http://www.fluoridealert.org/professionals-statement.aspx

[1ccc1]

02:41 PM on 01/05/2012

Indeed. I get the feeling this 'science' column is going to be a means to diminish natural supplements for big pharma. We'll see.