Charles Darwin was a naturalist, biologist, and geologist. He is also one of the most influential scientists that ever lived. Darwin is best known for his contributions to the science of evolution, which culminated in his work, On the Origin of Species. A book that remains one of the most prevalent works of scientific literature to date.

While Darwin didn’t exactly discover evolution, he was the first to formalize the theory. He also went a step further by proposing the theory of natural selection, a mechanism for evolution that had yet to be realized.

How did he do it? It all started with a decision to explore. After graduating from college, Darwin decided to accompany Captain Robert Fitzroy aboard the HMS Beagle. The Beagle was set for a two-year expedition along the coastline of South America and Darwin would serve as their naturalist. This would give him plenty of opportunities to study the natural world that had captured his interest.

Those two years turned into five and served as a formative time in Darwin’s life. It not only led to the beginnings of his research but also shaped him as a man and scientist. Darwin spent most of his time collecting animal specimens and making detailed observations about the geology and diversity of life he found along the way. What seemed boring to many, ignited the curiosity of a young Darwin, which is well described by David Quammen in his biography The Reluctant Mr. Darwin:

“One of Darwin’s great strengths as a scientist was also, in some ways, a disadvantage: his extraordinary breadth of curiosity. From his study at Down House he ranged widely and greedily, in his constant search for data, across distances (by letter) and scientific fields. He read eclectically and kept notes like a pack rat. Over the years he collected an enormous quantity of interconnected facts. He looked for patterns but was intrigued equally by exceptions to the patterns, and exceptions to the exceptions.” 

His curiosity may have been his defining trait, but there was something more structured that guided this drive. A mental model that helped him make sense of it all.

The Golden Rule

While his curiosity was essential, he also developed a particular way of thinking through his scientific endeavors. A way of discerning the facts from the falsehoods as he navigated the minutiae of the natural world. Darwin aptly named this his Golden Rule:

“I had, also, during many years, followed a golden rule, namely, that whenever a published fact, a new observation or thought came across me, which was opposed to my general results, to make a memorandum of it without fail and at once; for I had found by experience that such facts and thoughts were far more apt to escape from memory than favorable ones. Owing to this habit, very few objections were raised against my views which I had not at least noticed and attempted to answer.”

It sounds simple enough, but when you think about it, this rule is the opposite of how many of us behave. When Darwin was faced with a fact that went against his understanding of the world, he fully embraced it and what it entailed, rather than ignore it like many are inclined to do. No one likes to be wrong or even challenged on their beliefs. This ability to not only accept but actively integrate such facts is what set him apart and gave him a model of thinking that empowered his scientific prowess. He became a master of counter-intuition.

“The highest possible stage in moral culture is when we recognize that we ought to control our thoughts.”

Charles Darwin

Where many would hold fast to their theories and principles, Darwin would throw them out if they were disconfirmed. He wouldn’t rationalize or try to force a conflicting idea into his thinking, rather he would make wholesale changes to how he looked at things.

Darwin had created a way to view the world. An ability to see and connect the knowledge he discovered, which allowed him to fully grasp complex ideas and see unique perspectives. His approach to dealing with disconfirming information, also made his work so rigorous that it was nearly impossible to refute his assessments. Why? Because he had already tried to do so himself, with the very same arguments others would throw his way.

It isn’t a leap to say that Darwin’s Golden Rule played a huge role in his eventual discoveries in the field of evolution. It is also a great mental model that we could all benefit from embracing. It forces us to think critically, be uncomfortable, and fully face the realities of truth.

Strong Opinions – Weakly Held

The Golden Rule reminds me of a simple phrase that many of us would be wise to live by. Made known by Marc Andreessen, one of the most influential individuals in Silicon Valley, he referred to it as: “strong opinions – weakly held.”

That is to say, he had his own beliefs that he would argue for and defend vehemently, but he was also willing to change those opinions. If he was faced with an idea or fact that didn’t fit into his world views, but that he could clearly not refute, he would willingly change his opinions. As he said, weakly held. This is the key to the Golden Rule.

It requires us to be comfortable with being challenged. It requires the strength to fight the dissonance raised within our own beliefs. It requires the humility to admit when we are wrong. It requires us to be open-minded and willing to accept new truths.

The Golden Rule may sound easy enough, but it is anything but. If we can embrace it, it can be a game-changer in more ways than one.

The following is an adaptation from The Master Generalist – now available on Amazon.