False facts are highly injurious to the progress of science, for

Hear this, O children of wisdom, for the words of Charles Darwin carry the weight of profound understanding. "False facts are highly injurious to the progress of science, for they often endure long; but false views, if supported by some evidence, do little harm, for everyone takes a salutary pleasure in proving their falseness." With these words, Darwin speaks to the very heart of scientific progress. He warns us that false facts, those beliefs that are presented as truth but are not grounded in reality, have a dangerous power: they can endure long and become entrenched in the minds of many, obstructing the path to true knowledge. However, false views—ideas that are born from misguided reasoning yet supported by some evidence—are far easier to challenge. For in the pursuit of truth, there is a pleasure to be found in unraveling these errors, for every step toward understanding strengthens the fabric of science itself.

Let us turn our gaze, O children, to the ancient days, when the seeds of science were first sown. In those times, knowledge was often wrapped in the mist of myth and superstition. The early philosophers, such as Plato and Aristotle, sought to understand the world, but their work was based on the best evidence available to them—yet many of their conclusions were often flawed by the limitations of their time. Plato, for example, believed in a world of eternal forms, perfect and unchanging. His views shaped Western thought for centuries, but they were based on assumptions that were ultimately disproven by later generations. Aristotle, too, though brilliant, posited many ideas—such as his views on biology—that later discoveries showed to be incorrect. These false facts, accepted as truth, held back the progress of science for ages. Their endurance was a testament to the difficulty of shaking deeply rooted beliefs, even when the truth was still hidden in the shadows.

The ancients, despite their wisdom, could not see the full extent of the world around them, for they lacked the tools of modern science. Yet, as Galileo arose, challenging the notion that the Earth was the center of the universe, a new era of understanding was born. Galileo’s findings, though rooted in observation and evidence, were initially met with strong resistance. The false fact that the Earth was the center of the universe had endured for centuries, and despite the evidence, many could not break free from this belief. But Galileo, with his telescope and his unwavering commitment to the truth, began the long, hard process of breaking down those false facts, demonstrating that they were not absolute. It was this battle, between falsehood and truth, that propelled science forward, as each generation chipped away at the errors of the past.

Consider the example of Ignaz Semmelweis, the Hungarian physician who, in the 19th century, discovered that handwashing could prevent the spread of infection in hospitals. Though his findings were supported by evidence, the idea that doctors should wash their hands before delivering babies was met with scorn and resistance. Semmelweis had uncovered a truth that directly challenged the prevailing medical practices, which were rooted in false facts about germs and cleanliness. His findings were dismissed, and he was ultimately ostracized. Yet, when Louis Pasteur and Joseph Lister later built upon Semmelweis's work, the false facts that had long governed medical practices were exposed and replaced by new, scientific truths. This story reminds us that false facts, when held firmly in place, can not only hinder progress, but can destroy lives in the process.

Yet, as Darwin wisely observed, false views, even when they are supported by some evidence, do not hold the same power over science. These ideas, though flawed, are easier to dismantle. The process of challenging false views is not a battle against entrenched dogma, but a test of intellect and evidence. It is in this struggle that science thrives, for each error discovered and corrected brings humanity closer to understanding the world as it truly is. Think of the work of Einstein, whose theory of relativity overturned Newtonian physics. Einstein did not battle against false facts that had become deeply entrenched in scientific thought, but against an understanding that had long been accepted as true, using evidence and reason to prove his case. His success was not in defeating false facts, but in showing that even well-supported views could be revised and improved with better evidence and deeper understanding.

The lesson that Darwin imparts to us is one of vigilance, humility, and the courage to seek the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. The false facts that may surround us today, whether in science, politics, or society, can endure long and shape the world in harmful ways. It is the work of those who seek truth—scientists, philosophers, and ordinary people alike—to challenge these falsehoods and replace them with what is evidenced and verified. But even when the false views that exist around us seem insurmountable, they are not forever. Through reason and evidence, they can be undone, for each false idea is a stepping stone toward greater understanding.

So, O children of the future, take this wisdom to heart. Never accept a false fact simply because it has endured the test of time. Seek to understand the world through the eyes of science—through observation, evidence, and a willingness to challenge what is wrong, no matter how deeply it is entrenched. And when faced with false views, let them be not a source of despair, but of hope, for with each error corrected, we move closer to the truth. The path to understanding is not an easy one, but it is the path that leads to progress, to discovery, and to a world shaped by knowledge and wisdom. Let us walk this path with courage, for in the end, it is the truth that shall set us free.