¶ … valuable because it enables others to conduct the same research to see whether or not the author was accurate in reaching whatever conclusions he or she made via the experiment. Replicable experiments play a large role in conducting empirical-based experiments. The reason is that if one individual conducted an experiment and reached certain findings, the whole validity of empirical-based evidence means that another individual should be able to conduct that same experiment with highly similar results. Therefore, replicating experiments essentially functions as a way of confirming the truth. The truth can always be questioned and examined from a number of different of points-of-view and, theoretically, should not change. The same concept applies to findings reached via research involving empirically-based evidence. The only way the scientific community can truly validate research and conclusions drawn from it is by replicating that research -- and those conclusions as well. Successful replications are merely a testament to the findings of the original researcher/author.
I found David Brooks' article, "Social Animal," fascinating for several reasons. Foremost among these is the fact that he exploits the myth that good grades, wealth, jobs with a great deal of authority and prestige are not the end all, be all means to happiness. He also alludes to the fact that people who achieve these things are actually not smarter than others, and even implies that intelligence can be measured in different ways other than IQ (which he contrasts with perception). I have long harbored these same sentiments, and realized that people who are able to achieve these aforementioned ends are simply good at memorizing and doing what they are told -- and not actually thinking for themselves. True thinking for oneself, the author suggests, is related to a degree of social intelligence or even social psychology that is less easy to quantify, and more valuable in the real world than salary and grades. I wish more people would come to realize these facts.
