Scientific Strides

The knowledge and understanding of science has grown gradually and progressively—step by step—for millennia. Originally termed “natural philosophy” in ancient times, the term science first came and into use in the 17^th century, as human comprehension of the universe systematically and rapidly began to grow. Each step along the way was necessarily built upon the accomplishments of those who went before. This became increasingly the case, as scientific knowledge grew every larger and complex. There may have been polymaths in the ancient world—people whose scholarship extended across many fields of knowledge—but as the field of science grew larger and complicated, no one individual could be acquainted with more than a fraction of the whole.

Major figures in science’s history—such as Isaac Newton in the 17^th century—knew that their significant contributions depended heavily on those who made previous contributions. In fact, Newton is known for his statement that his accomplishments  were made possible only because he “stood on the shoulders of giants.” That metaphor exquisitely captures the stepwise growth of science. He was dependent on the findings of scientists before his time—just as many who followed him built upon his work.

There was no predetermined plan for a Newton or an Einstein to enter the game. They were not necessary for the advancements that occurred. Every significant accomplishment in science was made by the person being at the right place and right time. Had Newton been born a few decades earlier, the scientific findings he built upon (those “shoulders of giants” waiting for him) would not have been there... he may not have made his renowned discoveries at all. Had he been born a few decades later, someone else would have previously had his insights. His timing was extremely fortunate. We are fortunate that his genius was primed to take on the challenge.

I find it fascinating that these advances did not exclusively depend on those who made them. The progression of science does not rest on the shoulders of any one individual... it's an impersonal advancement. History is not destined to play out as it has. It is very contingent.

So if Newton or Einstein had not appeared when they did, their discoveries would surely have been made by someone else. If so, would science have advanced more slowly? Would their breakthroughs have come later, by others… or maybe even sooner? How many brilliant people died before their time, or were kept from the path of discovery by external restraints?

History cannot be rerun, in order to play out other scenarios. We'll never know just how crucial were the contributions of famous scientists. We'll never know if our scientific knowledge today would be further advanced or set back, without their accomplishments. But I do think we can feel confident that science would have progressed (and will continue to progress), because it is in the nature of the human mind to be curious and to collaborate on ongoing projects such as teasing out Nature's secrets.