Ptolemy's error

Ptolemy wrote a whole book explaining his geocentric model, the idea that the sun and planets move in perfectly circular orbits around the earth.

The reason that’s worth remembering isn’t because he was wrong, but because he was wrong for an interesting reason.

Hence the significance of the phrase ‘Ptolemy’s error.’

Because if you’re going to be wrong, you might as well be wrong in a way that opens up new doors: ways of thinking that shed light on dormant paradigms. You can be skeptical of the prevailing science, for example, and still end up with the wrong conclusions.

Contrast that with the ignorance of science. Being wrong because you’re obstinate in your beliefs, biases or worldview, and too proud to seek out contradictory evidence.

It turns out there are two ways to be wrong. You can be wrong for the right reasons, and that’s fine. Being wrong for the wrong reasons, however, helps no one.