Why Science Needs Human Experience

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In the quest for knowledge, science often prides itself on objectivity and empirical evidence. It is often contrasted with lived experience, which is defined as innately subjective and clearly in opposition to the objectivity of science. But, as I argued previously [1], such a positioning represents a false dichotomy.

Some researchers (A. Frank, M. Gleiser, E. Thompson, 2024) appear to make a similar argument that science versus lived experience is a false dichotomy, with claims going further: without human experience, science itself ceases to exist.

The Disconnect from Experience

The argument emphasizes that science developed to systematically examine phenomena experienced in the physical world. Early astronomers made inferences about celestial bodies based on their direct experiences of the night sky. And that’s where science comes from, human experience. It’s that experience that results in research questions that then become the subject of scientific work.

But it isn’t just that personal experience drives science. The authors argue that for science to be “valid and meaningful,” it must connect back to human experience. Otherwise, it becomes easy to theorize in ways that become further removed from a testable reality. And here lies a key point: a testable reality differentiates science from faith, fantasy, and delusion.

But for science to work, we have to be able to rely on human experience as a springboard to empirical examination. The results of that empirical examination are the basis of inferences we make about our testable reality. While we often think of science as a purely objective endeavor, much of what we study, how we study it, and the inferences we draw from that study are grounded in our frame of reference. Our experiences, beliefs, and prior knowledge influence the entire scientific process.

The Subtle Influence of Experience

Our lived experiences subtly influence the scientific process. Our experiences, values, beliefs, and other more subjective factors affect issues such as what we study, how we study it, how we examine our data, and the inferences we draw from that examination. While there are certainly some agreed-upon rules and norms in various scientific disciplines (for example, what statistics to use or not use for certain types of data), a lot of the key details of a study are influenced by subjective factors. This subjective influence is not a flaw, per se; instead, it reflects the complex interplay between rational thought and personal experience, but no matter how much standardization or objectivity we try to impose, there are aspects of science that do not necessarily adhere to strict logical frameworks[3].

Scientists, in their pursuit of objectivity, often overlook this interplay and fail to recognize the role it plays. Yet, it is precisely this blend of empirical data and personal experience that enriches our understanding and makes scientific inquiry relevant to our lives. When we ignore the human element, we risk creating knowledge that may be technically or mathematically workable but practically meaningless.

Consider a practical example of how experience shapes scientific understanding. In the field of medicine, patient experiences often guide hypotheses and research directions. The discovery of certain side effects of medications, for example, frequently comes from patients' subjective reports, which then lead to more rigorous scientific investigations.

The Practical Implications of Ignoring Experience

Ignoring the role of human experience in science can have significant implications. In areas like mental health, disregarding subjective experiences can lead to treatments that are less effective or even harmful. Personal narratives and patient histories are vital for understanding and treating psychological conditions. This approach underscores the necessity of valuing human experience within scientific paradigms.

Additionally, in technology and innovation, user experience plays a role in the development and refinement of products. Companies that ignore user feedback often fail to create successful products. The feedback loop between users' experiences and technological advancements demonstrates the symbiotic relationship between empirical data and subjective input.

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However, it’s important to note that while experience enriches science, it doesn't supplant it. Personal anecdotes and subjective interpretations must be tested and validated through rigorous scientific methods if they are to be effectively integrated into the scientific process. This ensures that findings are not just based on isolated experiences but are generalizable, at least to some degree. Science gains its strength from this balance: grounded in human experience while being tested against more objective standards.

But scientists themselves also need to recognize that their experiences affect the scientific process. This is especially the case in the social sciences, where scientists’ beliefs, values, and experiences can influence the entire research process and potentially introduce biases into that research[4]. No amount of quantification is going to remove all the subjectivity of research[5]. And that’s generally okay (except when biases produce low-quality research) because at least some of that subjectivity is what allows scientists to see the potential for various types of research.

Conclusion

The argument by Frank and colleagues, that science must connect back to human experience, is not just valid but necessary. Science devoid of human experience risks becoming an abstract exercise, disconnected from the very reality it seeks to understand[6]. By acknowledging the fundamental link between science and human experience, we can better ensure that scientific inquiry remains relevant and meaningful. But it also requires us to recognize when our own subjective experience might be introducing biases that weaken the scientific enterprise.

In the end, the interplay between science and experience should enrich both the scientific enterprise and human experience. Embracing this relationship allows us to harness the full potential of scientific inquiry while remaining grounded in the realities of human experience. This duality is essential for advancing knowledge and addressing the complexities of the world we live in.