How Science Fails Successfully

This chapter investigates the positive role of failure in scientific research. Failure is shown to be a requirement of an active research program and is a good rather than problematic component of research. Failures are windows on the unknown unknown – the deepest sort of unknown. Failed experiments tell us that there was something we didn’t know we did not know. We regularly underestimate the acceptable level of failure. Failure can occur at a much higher rate than we suppose, and failures can be larger than we estimate. Finally, a healthy rate of failure lends credence to scientific data since science makes no claims to infallibility.