Science is powerful - but it isn’t everything

I love science – it's intentional, process-driven and (ideally) unbiased. Science enables us to learn and experiment in ways that are rational, unemotional and can be explained and replicated. But it isn't everything.  

In his book, The Master and his Emissary, Dr Iain McGilchrist argues that the two hemispheres of the brain influence the human experience in very different ways. The left enables us to stand back and view the world through the lens of rationality and reason while the right drives connection to our own inner nature and to all other living things. Both sides of the brain are crucial, but the left has come to dominate in modern society which explains many of the challenges we face. 

This makes sense to me. As a scientist working in sustainability, my brain adapted to become skilled at processing information and giving it meaning. This became my dominant way of being and it served me well – to a point.

A few years ago, I began to sense something was missing. I started to intentionally give space to another part of me – my creativity, intuition and ability to feel deeply. This summer, I spent three days in Scotland without a plan: just me, nature and openness to what life presented. I can’t explain in words what I experienced – the moment above does it better.

I do believe in science, but I also believe there is a magic and mystery to life which cannot be understood or explained. Embracing this unknown makes me feel more alive and connected with the world. It also brings a humility which I think is vital if we are to access the imperfect nature of our humanity and overcome the challenges we face.

Don't worry if you think I’ve gone all woo-woo on you. I also wrote a 100-page report on the state of global cybersecurity in the same month, so I must be ok....

​Beth x

The only certainty, it seems to me, is that those who believe they are certainly right are certainly wrong.”
- Dr Iain McGilchrist​