Good Morning Friends !
During past week three things have inspired me :
Quote
“There is a vast class of properties, which science has so far neglected, that relate not only to what is true the actual , but to what could be true: the counterfactual.”
~ Chiara Marletto
Idea
A counterfactual is a way of thinking about “what could have been” instead of just focusing on what actually happened. Imagine you got stuck in traffic and were late for a meeting. A counterfactual question would be, “What would have happened if I didn’t get stuck in traffic?” This idea helps us explore possibilities that didn’t occur but could have under different circumstances.
In science, counterfactuals are important because they let us understand not just what exists (like a rock or a star) but what could exist or work differently, like a machine that could do a specific task if built in a certain way. By thinking about what’s possible, not just what’s real, we can come up with new ideas, solve problems, and even imagine new technologies that don’t yet exist. It’s like opening a door to a world of “what ifs” that helps us understand the universe better.
Book
Hermione Lee rightly commented about Chiara Marletto book The Science of Can and Can’t that :
“A wonderful book, which has taught me new ways of thinking and expanded my mind !”
This wonderful book has introduced the concept of Counterfactuals. The book rightly argues that since discovery of Gravity by Newton the science was about getting or calculating final state of any things (particles/waves) based on initial conditions given. This thought process worked till the end of 19th Century.
However after discovery of Quantum Theory, Theory of Evolution, Theory of Information and Theory of Falsifiability a renewed focus started towards getting new Universal Theory of All. One such attempt towards that is concept of Counterfactuals which provide new POV for Science.
Science can be understood as process that can or can’t happen irrespective of means which will allow the same. There are certain impossibilities imposed by nature which include speed of light or conservation of energy principle or Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle. Within those limits, Science can progress forward and that’s the beginning of infinity.
In Seven Chapters given in the book, Chiara unweave principle of Counterfactual in simple and lucid manner. Each chapter is also supported by a story to spark imagination of reader. Overall it’s a refreshing read.
Have a wonderful week ahead !