4. Doesn't hindsight show that the experts always "got it wrong"?
Description
This article is from the Food Science FAQ, bypking123@sympatico.ca (Paul E. J. King) with numerous contributions by others.
4. Doesn't hindsight show that the experts always "got it wrong"?
No. Hindsight shows that the experts nearly always "got it
right". It's simply that we only notice the rare instances where they
did get it wrong. And in those instances, we have to ask why.
Sometimes the scientists were in fact right, but human error occurred
in applying that knowledge. Sometimes it was that the knowledge
available at that time was insufficient. Scientists are not
magicians. Twenty years ago they knew only a fraction of what we know
now; which in turn is only a small fraction of what we will know in a
few years time. Research brings new knowledge all the time and at an
accelerating rate.
However, our profession is the repository of existing knowledge
in the field of food science and technology, and includes the
researchers expanding the boundaries of that knowledge and the
experts applying it for a safe, wholesome, nutritious and attractive
food supply for the public benefit.
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