The addiction of being right.
How certainty kills progress.
Dark clouds threatened the horizon.
Arthur Eddington stood by his telescope, sweat running down his temple.
He was there to capture a solar eclipse.
But there was more at stake than just photos.
For centuries, Newton’s laws had ruled science.
Gravity was a force that pulled objects toward each other.
No one dared to doubt Newton.
Then Albert Einstein spoke up.
He claimed gravity was not a force but a curve in space-time.
Many laughed at him.
However, Eddington believed in testing new ideas.
If starlight bent around the Sun during the eclipse, Einstein was right.
If not, Newton remained the king.
Days later, Eddington analyzed his plates.
They showed the stars had shifted.
Einstein was right.
And everything changed.
The Human Craving for Certainty
Our minds crave certainty. It feels good to be sure. Yet this craving can blind us to new knowledge.
A 2018 study in Perspectives on Psychological Science found that up to 70% of people only accept evidence supporting their opinions.
In 2019, the Harvard Business Review reported that 54% of managers rarely reversed their decisions, even after hearing better ideas.
A 2021 University of Michigan study showed 60% of participants refused to look at evidence that challenged their political views.
In other words, most of us refuse to budge. Like those who doubted Eddington’s findings, we protect our cherished ideas.
Even if that means missing the bigger truth.
Lessons from a Solar Eclipse
Stay Curious
Einstein noticed Mercury’s orbit didn’t follow Newton’s rules and asked, “What if something else is going on?” That single question changed science.
Practice saying, “I might be wrong.” It’s a small phrase with big power.
Celebrate Mistakes
Newton’s laws weren’t totally wrong - just incomplete. Life works the same way. We can be right for a while, then find a bigger truth.
When you find out you’re wrong, you learn.
Seek Opposing Views
Many scientists dismissed Eddington’s photos instead of admitting Newton might be incomplete. This is confirmation bias in action.
Read or watch materials that challenge your stance.
Take Risks
Eddington’s journey was a gamble but led to a major discovery.
Calculated risks spark innovation and personal growth.
Listen with Empathy
If space itself can bend, our opinions can, too.
Adapting to new truths makes life richer.
Eddington showed that real progress requires more than certainty.
It demands courage and an open mind.
So when you’re tempted to cling to “being right,” pause.
Ask, “What if there’s more?”
Seek truth beyond comfort.