Embrace Ignorance to Ignite Discovery

The emergence of the scientific revolution was fundamentally rooted in institutions that embraced ignorance and acknowledged the potential for mistakes. Unlike rigid dogmatic beliefs, which claim absolute truth, these scientific institutions accepted that many things remained unknown and that existing knowledge could contain errors. During the 16th and 17th centuries in early modern Europe, the coalescence of these institutions marked a significant turning point for science. While the printing press played a role in disseminating information, the critical question shifted from user engagement—which often favored popular but unscientific texts—to a demand for evidence and truth. Scientific publishers began prioritizing rigorous validation over mere marketability. This approach fostered a culture of self-scrutiny within the scientific community, where proponents actively sought out flaws in their own theories. In stark contrast, conspiracy theories lacked this introspective quality; they critiqued others without examining their own assumptions or evidence. Ultimately, the hallmark of scientific progress lies in the relentless pursuit of understanding, characterized by ongoing corrections and the commitment to unveil the complexities of knowledge.