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Chapter 21 - Uncertainty

How Is Uncertainty Intertwined with Progress?

from Section 4 - Reflecting on the Trajectory

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2023

Mark P. Khurana
Affiliation:
University of Copenhagen
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Summary

A basic tenet of science is an acceptance of uncertainty. This may seem to be a glaringly obvious point, but there must be a degree of uncertainty prior to achieving any type of real progress, even in the medical sciences. If we knew everything in advance, it would be hard to stake a claim that we’ve made steps forward. The problem is that our relationship with uncertainty has dwindled. Chapter 21 reflects on topics from previous chapters, including warped incentive structures, short-term thinking, and inflexible funding structures, and how they represent a growing unacceptance of uncertainty. The chapter concludes with reflecting on how this is likely to affect the rate and direction of progress.

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Chapter
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The Trajectory of Discovery
What Determines the Rate and Direction of Medical Progress?
, pp. 115 - 118
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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  • Uncertainty
  • Mark P. Khurana, University of Copenhagen
  • Book: The Trajectory of Discovery
  • Online publication: 06 April 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009354424.022
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  • Uncertainty
  • Mark P. Khurana, University of Copenhagen
  • Book: The Trajectory of Discovery
  • Online publication: 06 April 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009354424.022
Available formats
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Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Uncertainty
  • Mark P. Khurana, University of Copenhagen
  • Book: The Trajectory of Discovery
  • Online publication: 06 April 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009354424.022
Available formats
×