Nov 15, 2017 - Energy & Environment

How Elon Musk uses the scientific method

Photo: Evan Vucci / AP

From a fascinating Rolling Stone profile on Elon Musk, a description of how he thinks of the scientific method, in "mostly his own words":

  1. "Ask a question."
  2. "Gather as much evidence as possible about it. "
  3. "Develop axioms based on the evidence, and try to assign a probability of truth to each one."
  4. "Draw a conclusion based on cogency in order to determine: Are these axioms correct, are they relevant, do they necessarily lead to this conclusion, and with what probability?"
  5. "Attempt to disprove the conclusion. Seek refutation from others to further help break your conclusion."
  6. "If nobody can invalidate your conclusion, then you're probably right, but you're not certainly right."
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