Unlocking the Power of Human Experience: The Secret Ingredient Behind Scientific Discovery

This content draws from The Blind Spot: Why Science Cannot Ignore Human Experience by Adam Frank, Marcelo Gleiser, and Evan Thompson (2025, MIT Press). It is used here with permission.

Science presents us with a fascinating paradox: we are insignificant in the grand cosmic scale yet crucial to our understanding of reality. To grasp this paradox, we must look beyond traditional views of nature as something to control…

At the center of science is something we often overlook. Just like our eyes have a blind spot where the optic nerve resides, science has its own blind spot—our direct experiences. This awareness shapes how we observe, investigate, and understand the world around us. French philosopher Maurice Merleau-Ponty emphasized that “the body is the vehicle of being in the world.” Still, our bodily experiences often hide in this blind spot.

Revealing this blind spot could bridge the gap between scientific inquiry and everyday experiences. But we must also explore the deeper meanings behind our experiences.

The blind spot is much like the air around us—imperceptible but ever-present. We encounter simplified versions of it in school science classes and documentaries. For many in the scientific community, it becomes an unspoken guideline in their studies and careers.

This blind spot is not merely philosophical; it shapes common perceptions about science, nature, and our place in the universe. The way science has evolved over centuries, often entwined with economic and military interests, makes it even more crucial to recognize this blind spot’s pervasive influence.

In the realm of biology, science has achieved incredible breakthroughs in understanding life at a molecular level—from DNA to protein synthesis. However, much of this is grounded in reductionism, which views life as merely a complex machine. This perspective can be misleading; while parts play roles, life is not just machinery. Living systems are self-organizing and adaptive, demonstrating autonomy and agency.

Autonomy and agency also relate to how organisms interpret their surroundings. Living beings constantly make sense of their environments, differentiating between what is beneficial, harmful, or trivial. In essence, “living is sensemaking.”

In the 20th century, cognitive science emerged—a blend of fields like psychology, AI, and philosophy seeking to unlock the mysteries of the mind. It highlights the complexity of cognition, suggesting we can move beyond the blind spots of traditional thought. However, as we navigate this journey, we often create environments tailored to technology, sometimes limiting our understanding of autonomy.

The current understanding needs to be redefined; cognition is not confined to our brains. Instead, it is a relationship between us and our environment. Just as a bird needs wings to fly, flying is a relationship that transcends mere anatomy. Our perceptions stem from our entire being interacting with the world.

From a planetary perspective, scientists have shifted to viewing Earth as a complex system. Life is no longer an afterthought; it’s a vital component in understanding our planet’s evolution. The Anthropocene—where human impact is profound—illustrates the significance of this perspective.

Science teaches us we are tiny players in a vast universe, yet our experiences remain central to scientific knowledge. This paradox invites us to embrace our role as both creators and characters in the scientific narrative. While we are minuscule in the cosmos, our contributions shape understanding.

The way the public interprets science often relies on oversimplifications that can misrepresent the complexity of human existence. It can lead to a perception of scientists being emotionless and disconnected, which in turn can foster skepticism of science in societal issues, like climate change.

Instead of framing science as a tool to escape human complexities, it should be seen as a means to delve deeper into the mystery of existence. By addressing our blind spots, we can enhance our understanding of objectivity in science and its real-world implications.