I’ve been reading Douglas Starr’s The Killer of Little Shepherds which documents the origins of forensic science alongside the story of how the French apprehended and successfully prosecuted serial killer Joseph Vachay in 19th century France. It’s like “CSI: 19th Century France.”
One of the main “heroes” of the book and of forensic science is renown criminologist Dr. Alexandre Lacassagne. Lacassagne, while constantly breaking new ground in forensic science, also served as a voice of reason against many more “medieval” approaches to criminology. Many at the time believed being a criminal was genetic and due to various genetic features – such as types of ears, skull shapes, and the like.
Lacassagne, who was a criminologist during the time in which Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was releasing his Sherlock Holmes novels, showed a commitment to truth that outshined most everyone else in his era. Of his commitment to uncovering the truth amidst the complexities that limited evidence provides, Starr writes,
“He made a point of maintaining uncertainty, right up until the end of the investigation. He famously told students, “One must know how to doubt.” (pg. 105)
Lacassagne always was wisely aware that new evidence was there for the discovering and therefore, there must always be room in one’s vision and paradigms of thought for newly discovered truths that might alter one’s conclusions. Such a posture led to groundbreaking discoveries, a non-anxious presence in the face of hysteria and anxiety, and shrewd analysis of the known facts.
Such an insight is nothing new as wise men over the years have emphasized the virtue of humility – knowing that there is much that you do not know. However, knowing that there is much we do not know is a much different thing than us actually living like there is so much we do not know. So many people are almost trained to believe that doubting anything is always a negative thing and that it reflects somehow a character flaw or weakness. Doubt in the pursuit of truth is a valuable ally. It’s the reminder that there might be something that we might not have considered yet, an unexplored avenue that can lead us closer to the truth. It can be the checks and balances against ego, pride, and naivete.
I wonder how many things would look differently if we as people could actually live out in our relationships and responsibilities such a commitment to the truth, that we choose not give into the temptation to close our eyes to yet revealed evidence or facts just so we can rest easy in the mirage of certainty.
Lacassagne is now a hero of mine for maintaining nerve in the face of societal anxiety and by leading revolutionary change through his commitment to uncovering truth.
People offer up definitions of humility all the time – but how do you such a commitment to the truth lived out in your life or others?
For a slightly different post on doubt versus certainty, click here.
I’ll post a more detailed review on this book in the near future because there are some great components to it that make it a great read.
