Careful Quote by Robert M. Sapolsky
“...when doing science (or perhaps when doing anything at all in a society as judgmental as our own), be very careful and very certain before pronouncing something to be a norm - because at that instant, you have made it supremely difficult to ever again look objectively at an exception to that supposed norm.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst, Robert Sapolsky, 2017
Scientific claims become entrenched norms when declared with certainty, making it hard to objectively assess outliers.
In simple terms: Declaring norms too firmly blocks objective view of exceptions.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions before labeling something a norm.
Themes
science
objectivity
norms
bias
critical thinking
Mood
cautious
analytical
skeptical
Type
advice
philosophical
scientific
When to use this quote
- research design
- policy making
- media reporting
- education curricula
- public health messaging
Key Concepts
social psychology
epistemology
confirmation bias
Questions to Reflect On
- How might you test a supposed norm for hidden exceptions?
- What mechanisms protect against premature consensus?
A Different Perspective
Overconfidence can stifle innovation and ignore minority data.
![“[A]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air. And be careful what you swallow.” quote by Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da8/dr-seuss-1224_advice_a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-f_6806.jpg)
