06/09/2025

Five Lessons on Finding Truth in an Uncertain World

Understand what constitutes proof and how to proceed when facts falter

Adam Kucharski is a professor of epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and an award-winning science writer. His book, The Rules of Contagion, was a Book of the Year in The Times, Guardian and Financial Times. A mathematician by training, his work on global outbreaks has included COVID, Ebola and Zika. He has advised multiple governments and health agencies. His writing has appeared in WIRED, Observer and Financial Times, among other outlets, and he has contributed to several documentaries, including BBC’s Horizon.

What's the Big Idea?

In all arenas of life, there is an endless hunt to find certainty and establish proof. We don’t always have the luxury of “being sure,” and many situations demand decisions be made even when there is insufficient evidence to choose confidently. Every field—from mathematics and tech to law and medicine—has its own methods for proving truth, and what to do when it is out of reach. Professionally and personally, it is important to understand what constitutes proof and how to proceed when facts falter.

Adam shares five key insights from his new book, Proof: The Art and Science of Certainty. 

Please select this link to read the complete article from Fast Company.