Discussion Collection
Illusions of Understanding in the Sciences
A target article and cross-disciplinary commentaries on understanding in science.
Resources
Computational Brain & Behavior · 2026
Shiffrin, Stigler, and Keil argue that scientists routinely operate under predictable illusions when interpreting data, building theories, and evaluating evidence. Commentaries respond across themes including bounded rationality, the nature of understanding, formal modeling, prediction and risk, extrapolation, replication, causal reasoning, AI, and science communication.