It was perfectly possible to portray scientific knowledge as socially determined – and therefore not true in any real sense – when one was safe on the ground in Paris; but would you ask the same question in a jet aircraft at thirty-five thousand feet, when that same knowledge underpinned the very engineering that was keeping one up in the air?
In Alexander McCall Smith's "44 Scotland Street," the narrative suggests that scientific knowledge can be viewed as shaped by societal factors, raising questions about its truthfulness. This perspective can be comfortably debated in familiar settings like Paris, where one feels secure. However, the situation changes dramatically when one is high in the sky, relying on that very scientific understanding for safety during a flight.
This juxtaposition highlights the contrast between theoretical discussions of knowledge and the practical realities of life. While it's easy to challenge the validity of science in an abstract environment, the dependency on scientific principles becomes undeniable when one's life hangs in the balance at thirty-five thousand feet, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the true nature of scientific knowledge.
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All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
