The Half-Life of Fact (book)

"The Half-Life of Facts" by Samuel Arbesman explores how knowledge evolves over time. It suggests that facts, much like radioactive materials, have a "half-life"—the time it takes for them to lose their relevance or accuracy. As new discoveries emerge, previously accepted truths can become outdated or disproven. Arbesman emphasizes the importance of recognizing that our understanding of the world is constantly changing and that knowledge is not static. This perspective encourages us to remain adaptable and open-minded in our pursuit of understanding, acknowledging that what we know today may not hold tomorrow.