“I think what’s ultimately meant by science–or should be meant by science–is a genuine curiosity about what’s true and isn’t true, empirically, in the world. So, for instance, it might be true that a good way to get over phobias is by talking a lot about one’s early childhood experiences of those fears. Equally, that might not be the case and it might not work. Gradual exposure to the thing you’re afraid of might be a much more effective therapy. A really good way to find that out is by looking at the world, by looking at what happens when people are treated in these different ways, and seeing who actually gets over their phobias. That kind of looking is called science! That’s what it is. That’s all. And that’s so important–to look at the world–to be willing to have your preconceptions or assumptions proven wrong by what the world has to say back to you when you test your assumptions out.”
–Misha Glouberman (with Sheila Heti), “A Mind Is Not a Terrible Thing to Measure,” from The Chairs Are Where the People Go
