Life, Writing, Weirdness

Marked on the anniversary of his birth, 12 February 1809. To borrow phrasing from the official International Darwin Day website (https://darwinday.org), it’s a day to “reflect and act on the principles of intellectual bravery, perpetual curiosity, scientific thinking, and hunger for truth as embodied in Charles Darwin.”

A scientist’s holiday, you might suggest, but I’d argue it’s more inclusive than that. Taking the four principles in turn:

Intellectual bravery on a personal level is just a willingness to challenge and potentially change personal beliefs. Sometimes those beliefs might be more widely held, even dominant in society. That’s okay. How open about the challenge you are is less important than the willingness to confront your beliefs intellectually and be willing to change when you’re wrong. And then decide you don’t need to be shy about it.

Perpetual curiosity is a simple one. Stay curious. There are always new things to learn, see, and do.

Scientific thinking. Think with the purpose of enhancing or improving your knowledge. You don’t need to be a scientist. It’s about using your brain to look at the world around you. Have standards for evidence, though.

Hunger for truth. The obvious answer isn’t always the true answer. Look beyond your first thoughts and see where the evidence actually leads.

Intellectual bravery, perpetual curiosity, scientific thinking, hunger for truth. I think Mr. Darwin would probably approve. Not just a scientist’s holiday.

Be well, everyone.