When discussing the purpose of error and what it can inspire, Lewis Thomas states many valid points in The Medusa and the Snail. By stating that we are built for committing mistakes, Thomas was a bit daring but he is not mistaken by saying talking about errors leading to new discoveries and errors and arguments. It isn’t hard to defend his claims, though not all of them may be true.

Stating that “We are built to make mistakes, coded for error”, Thomas might have been quite bold as that is not entirely true. Instead one may say, we are built to make accidental discoveries. There is no need to look further than how humans harnessed fire. Before it was though, we avoided it as it had the power to kill. But, by the accidental rubbing of two stones against each other, humans created it ourselves, and it could be controlled. Similarly, we also discovered how to farm. No one knew that the remains of the fruit we ate, the seeds, when planted could multiply the supply of the plants we ate. When the humans observed this phenomenon though, they harnessed it to for our gain. Even so, these discoveries were accidental. Forcing intentional discoveries cannot be done with out making mistakes.

On the contrary, Thomas does have valid points. By mentioning the phrase learning from trial and error, one can’t help but agree with him. The trials of Thomas Edison would further Lewis Thomas’s claim. Edison’s experiment to create a light bulb was the epitome of the old phrase. If Edison had quit by so many errors, and not learning from them he wouldn’t have discovered the perfect combination. By endeavoring in this cause, we didn’t have to live in darkness for longer than we needed to. Similarly, Albert Einstein also said, “A fool isn’t one that makes mistakes; it is someone that makes the same one repeatedly”. He implies that by learning from them, we create progress, supporting Lewis Thomas’s claim that this “step is the crucial one.” Another point that is noteworthy is that there is “no action at all if there are not the two sides and the argument”. It is much like the saying “there can be no clap with out two hands”. At least two differing views are needed to create an interesting discussion. If not, there would have been no need for the presidential debate between Obama and Romney; even an election wouldn’t have been necessary if that was the case.

As portrayed by Lewis Thomas and other great scientists, errors are necessary for progress- so long as one learns from them. Accidental discoveries are not as effective because they already exist, but are yet to be examined. Where as errors allow for opportunities to question and develop. If not for such errors, many developments wouldn’t have been made possible and the state of humanity could very well be non-industrialized.