My current read is Karl Popper’s (1902-1994) “The myth of the framework”, and I find his work fascinating. This book, released just before he died, summarizes his life’s work spanning 60 years.

There is a lot to call about from his work including “falsification” that he is keenly known for. But today, I would like to focus on his essay “The Moral Responsibility of the Scientist”. In this, he suggests that from the perspective of a scientist, it is more important to work to reduce avoidable suffering than focus on the human happiness that is not sustainable.

What a wonderful thought indeed “Reduce avoidable suffering” and this is extremely good advice. And scales well, whether it is for a scientist, or for organizations of any size, and to humans in large groups as well as to individuals.

Reduce avoidable suffering

— Karl Popper