“A scientist
is never certain. We all know that. We know that all our statements are
approximate statements with different degrees of certainty; that when a
statement is made, the question is not whether it is true or false but rather
how likely it is to be true or false. ‘Does God exist?’ When put in the
questional form, ‘how likely is it?’ It makes such a terrifying transformation
of the religious point of view, and that is why the religious point of view is
unscientific. We must discuss each question within the uncertainties that are
allowed….We absolutely must leave room for doubt or there is no progress and
there is no learning. There is no learning without having to pose a question.
And a question requires doubt. People search for certainty. But there is no
certainty. People are terrified — how can you live and not know? It is not odd
at all. You only think you know, as a matter of fact. And most of your actions
are based on incomplete knowledge and you really don’t know what it is all
about, or what the purpose of the world is, or know a great deal of other
things. It is possible to live and not know.”
