Important Things to Know About Humans

III. Shared culture  ↑

23. We construct experiments and perform tests to see what works.

We devise and conduct tests in order to see if our models are accurate, and to see if our inventions work. And then, if the test fails, we go back and revise our models and inventions and try them again.

Testing and experimentation are important elements of the scientific method.


Words from Others on this Topic

One test result is worth a thousand expert opinions.

Wernher von Braun

The country needs and, unless I mistake its temper, the country demands bold, persistent experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and try it: if it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.

Franklin D. Roosevelt, 22 May 1932, from the speech “FDR Address at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Georgia


Relevant Reference Models

Knowledge is derived by observation, experimentation, and rational analysis

Complex Domain


Next: 24. We retain what works