I recently finished reading Carl Zimmer's "The Soul Made Flesh", the story of work in Oxford, England, on exploring human anatomy and especially what the large spongy mass in the top of the head did. There had been many statements and theories about its function. The newer element was evidence. Proposed functions had to line up with what was known at the time. It was getting a little less likely that someone of authority would answer the question and others accepted that statement.
I read about Galileo sometime back but I can't track down or remember the title or the author. I remember it, not because of Galileo's famous difficulty with the Catholic authorities, basically about the Earth being the center of the universe, or a "mere" planet circling our sun, as his telescope showed him but because of the description of him timing swing lamps with his pulse while attending church.
Much of "argument" and "discussion" involves personal prestige, tradition, habit, language skills and even physical size, weight and temperament of those involved. Introducing the concept of reported evidence changed the game. The Zimmer book reports no swords, daggers or pistols involved but people can get very emotional during discussions about issues important to them. I have been somewhat thankful that my work has not involved basic research which seems to be an activity bound to frustrate and disappoint.
