Cross-Examining Nature
Dr. Ronald Breslow, professor of chemistry and University Professor at Columbia University, was the 1999 recipient of the Priestly Medal, the American Chemical Society’s highest award. He received the honor, Chemical & Engineering News reports, as much for his four-plus decades of leadership as a teacher as for his pioneering research in bioorganic and physical organic chemistry.
The following observations, made as part of his medal address, apply to many life situations as well as to the research laboratory:
Research is sometimes described as a conversation with Nature, but that is not quite the right metaphor. It is, of course, important to listen to Nature, not just to lecture at her. However, except in purely exploratory studies, the interaction is more like the way that litigators conduct cross-examination, using leading questions that can usually be answered yes or no.
In much scientific research we address Nature with questions of the form: “Is it not true that …?” The experiments are designed to pose such questions.
Sometimes the answer is “Yes, you are right; your theory may be correct.” Sometimes the answer is “No, you are on the wrong track.” Sometimes the best answer can be “No, you don’t have it quite right; the real situation is the following, much more interesting than your simple idea.” If we don’t insist that our first ideas be correct, this can be the most exciting result, since it leads us to new concepts.
Attorneys have a rule about cross-examinations: “Avoid surprises. Never ask a question to which you do not know the answer.” Our rule is normally just the reverse.
