Photo credit (edited), fair use
A client of mine recently recommended that I read This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol, Find Freedom, Discover Happiness & Change Your Life (2015) by Annie Grace. Having completed the book, I better understand why it has value for my client.
Nevertheless, there is one specific criticism I have regarding a recurring claim made throughout the book. Grace continually cites evidence which she reports is “proven” by science. For context, consider the following passages:
“Studies from as far back as 1970 prove our brains actually prepare for action 1/3 of a second before we consciously decide to act.”
“We need to bring unconscious experiences, observations, assumptions, and conclusions into conscious thought. This allows your unconscious to change. The concept is scientifically proven—scientists now realize that the brain is able to change and adapt in response to new experiences, in a process called neuroplasticity.”
“You only have to read the news to realize we are constantly discovering new things and disproving existing theories.”
Although there are many other selections within the book which claim that science proves or disproves assertions made by the author, the aforementioned passages will suffice for my critique. It appears to me that Grace misunderstands what science is and how it functions.
Merriam-Webster defines science as “knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths or the operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through scientific method.” According to a separate source:
The scientific method involves careful observation coupled with rigorous skepticism, because cognitive assumptions can distort the interpretation of the observation. Scientific inquiry includes creating a hypothesis through inductive reasoning, testing it through experiments and statistical analysis, and adjusting or discarding the hypothesis based on the results.
Given these explanations, science is a system of knowledge that incorporates a skeptical approach when asking questions, researching topics, formulating a hypothesis, experimenting to test a hypothesis, analyzing data, drawing conclusions, and communicating with others about the results of inquiry.
Noteworthy, the scientific process is ongoing. Therefore, cited evidence from 2015 – when the book was published – may not maintain validity or reliability almost a decade later. Furthermore, science doesn’t prove or disprove anything. According to one source:
Misconception: Science proves ideas.
Misconception: Science can only disprove ideas.
Correction: Science neither proves nor disproves. It accepts or rejects ideas based on supporting and refuting evidence, but may revise those conclusions if warranted by new evidence or perspectives.
Thus, the aforementioned selected claims made by Grace – and the many more listed throughout the book in regard to science proving or disproving anything – are to be rejected. After all, this is a scientific approach to misconceptions about science.
“But Deric,” an imaginary reader may retort, “what about scientific laws? Aren’t they proven or disproven?” Well, I’m glad you’ve asked, imagined skeptic. According to one source:
Laws are constantly being tested experimentally to increasing degrees of precision, which is one of the main goals of science. The fact that laws have never been observed to be violated does not preclude testing them at increased accuracy or in new kinds of conditions to confirm whether they continue to hold, or whether they break, and what can be discovered in the process.
It is always possible for laws to be invalidated or proven to have limitations, by repeatable experimental evidence, should any be observed. Well-established laws have indeed been invalidated in some special cases, but the new formulations created to explain the discrepancies generalize upon, rather than overthrow, the originals.
That is, the invalidated laws have been found to be only close approximations, to which other terms or factors must be added to cover previously unaccounted-for conditions, e.g. very large or very small scales of time or space, enormous speeds or masses, etc. Thus, rather than unchanging knowledge, physical laws are better viewed as a series of improving and more precise generalizations.
Even laws of science don’t prove or disprove anything. Knowledge may be validated or invalidated. Hypotheses may be accepted or rejected. Also, science is never settled. And while scientific laws may be proven to have limitations, they don’t prove or disprove anything in and of themselves.
Although Grace’s book may contain well-supported observations or experimental evidence for the time at which it was published, such data merely represent explanations of observable characteristics. However, proving or disproving? That ain’t scientific.
In conclusion, I appreciate Grace’s contribution to the topic of addition and I have little doubt that she’s influenced many people in a meaningful way. Nonetheless, my skepticism of her misinterpretations regarding science is worth noting.
After all, I use Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) which serves as a scientific approach to mental, emotional, and behavioral health. Using this method, disputation of unscientific claims is valued. Would you like to know more about this approach to wellness?
If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
Grace, A. (2015). This naked mind: Control alcohol, find freedom, discover happiness & change your life. Avery. Retrieved from https://www.pdfdrive.com/this-naked-mind-control-alcohol-d183824936.html
Hollings, D. (2024, May 24). A scientific approach to mental health. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/a-scientific-approach-to-mental-health
Hollings, D. (2022, May 17). Circle of concern. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/circle-of-concern
Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer
Hollings, D. (2023, September 8). Fair use. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fair-use
Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better
Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/
Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching
Hollings, D. (2023, January 8). Logic and reason. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/logic-and-reason
Hollings, D. (2022, June 23). Meaningful purpose. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/meaningful-purpose
Hollings, D. (2024, March 4). Mental, emotional, and behavioral health. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/mental-emotional-and-behavioral-health
Hollings, D. (2024, September 2). Neuroplasticity. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/neuroplasticity
Hollings, D. (2024, April 22). On disputing. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-disputing
Hollings, D. (2023, September 3). On feelings. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-feelings
Hollings, D. (2023, April 24). On truth. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-truth
Hollings, D. (2022, March 24). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt
Hollings, D. (2022, October 7). Should, must, and ought. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/should-must-and-ought
Hollings, D. (2024, March 24). Smartphone and social media addiction. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/smartphone-and-social-media-addiction
Hollings, D. (2023, August 6). The science. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/the-science
Hollings, D. (2022, August 8). Was Freud right? Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/was-freud-right
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Science. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/science
Stable Diffusion. (n.d.). Alcohol as a status symbol [Image]. Retrieved from https://stablediffusionweb.com/image/7465525-alcohol-as-status-symbol
This Naked Mind. (n.d.). Meet Annie Grace. Retrieved from https://thisnakedmind.com/annie-grace/
UC Museum of Paleontology Understanding Science. (n.d.). Understanding science 101. University of California, Berkley. Retrieved from https://undsci.berkeley.edu/understanding-science-101/the-core-of-science-relating-evidence-and-ideas/
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Scientific law. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_law
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Scientific method. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method
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