Science, like art, religion, commerce, warfare, and even sleep

"Science, like art, religion, commerce, warfare, and even sleep, is based on presuppositions." These words, spoken by the profound Gregory Bateson, strike at the heart of how we engage with the world, revealing a truth that runs through the very core of human endeavor. The essence of his statement is that all human activity, from the pursuit of knowledge to the artistic creation, from the commerce that drives economies to the wars that shape history, is built upon a foundation of unseen assumptions—ideas that we take for granted, beliefs we hold without questioning. Even the most scientific of pursuits, which we often regard as objective and absolute, are shaped by the presuppositions of those who seek to understand the world. And it is through these hidden assumptions that we navigate our lives, our societies, and our understanding of truth.

The ancients, too, understood that all knowledge and action are framed within the boundaries of certain assumptions. The Greek philosophers, such as Socrates, sought to challenge these assumptions in their pursuit of truth. Socrates famously said, “The unexamined life is not worth living,” urging his followers to question everything—assumptions, beliefs, and truths. It was through this questioning, through the breaking down of the presuppositions that held society in place, that knowledge could evolve and expand. In the very act of challenging what we assume to be true, we begin to unlock the deeper mysteries of the world. The ancient world was full of systems—religions, philosophies, and sciences—all grounded in assumptions about the nature of reality, the gods, and the universe itself.

Consider, for a moment, the science of the past, where the assumptions about the Earth, the heavens, and the nature of existence shaped the way early thinkers understood the universe. Ptolemy's geocentric model of the cosmos—where the Earth was the center and the stars and planets revolved around it—was accepted as the truth for centuries. But this view, based on the presupposition that the Earth was the center of the universe, was eventually overturned by the observations of Copernicus, Galileo, and Kepler, who, through their discoveries, showed that the Earth was but a small part of a vast, heliocentric system. Science, in this case, evolved not because of new facts alone, but because the presuppositions about the nature of the universe were questioned and revised. The breakthrough came not from disregarding the facts, but by realizing that the very framework of understanding—built on earlier assumptions—needed to be reexamined.

Bateson’s insight also stretches beyond the realm of science. In the world of art, religion, and even commerce, presuppositions govern our actions and perceptions. Consider religion, where deeply ingrained beliefs about the divine, about life after death, and about the moral order of the universe shape not only personal faith but entire societies. These presuppositions, handed down through generations, are often unquestioned by the faithful. But history shows us that when these assumptions are challenged, the very foundations of society can shift. Martin Luther, in the 16th century, challenged the Catholic Church’s presupposition that salvation could only be obtained through the Church’s authority, sparking the Protestant Reformation. This radical shift in religious thought not only altered the course of Christianity but also reshaped political, social, and cultural landscapes across Europe.

Similarly, in the realm of commerce, we see how the assumptions about markets, goods, and value shape the world of trade and business. The assumption that goods should be exchanged for a certain price, the assumption that the marketplace operates on principles of supply and demand, are so ingrained in modern thought that they often go unchallenged. Yet, these assumptions have not always been self-evident. The Industrial Revolution transformed commerce by questioning old assumptions about manual labor and production, introducing machines that would eventually redefine the very nature of work, wealth, and trade. In this way, Bateson’s view extends to the economic systems we have built, which are, at their core, based on assumptions about the value of goods, labor, and capital.

But let us also reflect on warfare, perhaps one of the most profound areas where presuppositions govern action. Wars, in their essence, are based on the assumptions of power, right, and victory. Napoleon Bonaparte, for instance, built his empire on the presupposition that his military genius and strategic prowess could defy the established order. Yet, the assumption of invincibility, when challenged by forces like the Russian winter and the might of coalition forces, led to his downfall. Just as the assumptions of victory can drive a nation to battle, so too can the assumptions of defeat or fear lead to retreat. The very nature of war is rooted in the shifting balance of assumptions and beliefs about what is possible, right, and inevitable.

The lesson Bateson offers is a call for us to question the presuppositions that guide our own lives. Just as science must evolve by challenging the assumptions it is built upon, so too must we constantly examine the ideas and beliefs that guide our actions. In every field—whether in art, science, commerce, or warfare—we must ask ourselves: What assumptions am I operating under? What beliefs do I hold without question? And how might those presuppositions limit my understanding, my growth, or my potential? To move forward, we must examine and challenge these assumptions, as only through that process can we evolve, improve, and truly understand the world around us.

In your own life, take the time to examine the assumptions you live by. Are they based on facts, experiences, or simply inherited beliefs? Are they challenging your growth, or are they limiting your potential? Just as the great thinkers of the past pushed against the assumptions of their time, so too must we be willing to break free from the assumptions that hold us in place. Let Bateson’s words inspire you to question, to seek deeper understanding, and to never settle for the presuppositions that limit your vision of what is possible. Truth, after all, lies not in the unquestioned assumptions, but in the willingness to see the world as it is, unclouded by preconceived notions, and open to new possibilities.