ABSTRACT
The author’s early experiences in scientific research are described. His research topic of two-dimensional monomolecular films is touched on and extended to consider the general topic of dimensions, an important concept in science. When problems involving large distances such as size of galaxies and high velocities such as the velocity of light are considered, we need to invoke three dimensions of space and one of time, a four-dimensional space-time continuum. The early experiences of the author are detailed to illustrate the hypothetico-deductive method of investigation, the true method of science. This entails making a hypothesis to try to explain some observations and testing it by well-designed experiments. A requirement of a hypothesis is that it must be refutable. If a hypothesis is refuted, it is rejected and thought given to a new hypothesis. In that way, scientists use a trial and error procedure in which they learn from their mistakes. Some thoughts on how current science is progressing are given which relate to the question of whether knowledge is presently advancing.
