“Turn data into information, information into knowledge, and knowledge into wisdom.”—Neil deGrasse Tyson
I consider myself a scientist. I don’t do near enough scientific inquiry as I would prefer as a university professor, but I do try to do more as a member of society. I do try to back my opinion with scientific data—peer-reviewed journals and not just internet information—but at the end of the day, it is just my opinion. It is a bit more hypothesis than general opinion; it is an informed opinion; but it is still opinion. I expect that to some degree I am wrong and welcome informed debate. As an educator, I know that respectful discourse is central to a liberal education.
We are fast becoming a society that thinks like politicians rather than scientists. Scientists deal in probabilities—hypotheses are tested and the results presented as a numerical likelihood of the results being due to chance. These are referred to as “p-values,” and the p-value is never zero. (Though a statistical software might report “p = 0.000”, this is always understood to be “p < 0.001.” There is strong confidence that the results are due to chance, but it is never absolute.) In science, we seek truth, and the process leads us closer to truth. (I don’t allow my students to state that something is “proven.” After all, nothing is proven with absolute certainty.)
The Proverbs state: “Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7, NIV). We can have wisdom without the right information,… without the right data. Unfortunately, when we think like politicians, our data are biased. We select information that supports our narrative and reject contrary information. Our data are flawed. When we rely on the Internet, we are further biased by search engines and by biased sources. From such data and information there can be no wisdom. Wisdom seeks to prove oneself wrong.
When we seek to prove ourselves wrong, we grow closer to becoming correct. If we are truly open to truth, we will find it. This is wisdom. If we define our truths on limited information, biased information, or opinion, we lack wisdom.
My hope, as a university professor (and as a member of society), is not to inform my students—not to provide them with information. Rather, my hope is to give them the tools to prove me wrong—to impart wisdom. (Technically, I don’t want them to prove me wrong per se. I want them to question me; prove what I am teaching them is correct and to correct that which not. In 23 years of teaching [35+ in the field of exercise physiology], there have been new data and new discoveries. New information succeeds the old. New information leads to new knowledge. New knowledge [used appropriately] leads to wisdom.)
Question everything/everyone. Enter into honest and respectful discourse. Don’t try to prove your narrative. Seek wisdom. Let data become information, information become knowledge, and knowledge become wisdom. “Buy the truth and do not sell it— wisdom, instruction and insight as well (Proverbs 23:23, NIV).
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!