Michael Lissack’s New Book “Questioning Understanding” Explores the Future of Scientific Inquiry and AI Ethics

September 05, 2025 at 17:32 PM EDT

Photo Courtesy: Michael Lissack

"Understanding is not a destination we reach, but a spiral we climb—each new question changes the view, and each new view reveals questions we couldn't see before."

Michael Lissack, Executive Director of the Second Order Science Foundation, cybernetics expert, and professor at Tongji University, has released his new book, "Questioning Understanding." Now available, the book explores a fresh perspective on scientific inquiry by encouraging readers to reconsider the assumptions that shape how we understand the world.

A Thought-Provoking Approach to Scientific Inquiry

In "Questioning Understanding," Lissack introduces the concept of second-order science, a framework that examines the uncritically examined presuppositions (UCEPs) that often underlie scientific practices. These assumptions, while sometimes essential for scientific work, may also constrain our ability to explore complex phenomena fully. Lissack suggests that by engaging with these assumptions critically, there could be potential for a deeper understanding of the scientific process and its role in advancing human knowledge.

The book features an innovative tête-bêche format, offering two entry points for readers: “Questioning → Understanding” or “Understanding → Questioning.” This structure reflects the dynamic relationship between knowledge and inquiry, aiming to highlight how questioning and understanding are interconnected and reciprocal. By offering two different entry paths, Lissack emphasizes that the journey of scientific inquiry is not linear. Instead, it’s a continuous process of revisiting previous assumptions and refining the lens through which we view the world.

The Battle Against Sloppy Science

Lissack's work took on new urgency during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he witnessed an explosion of what he calls "slodderwetenschap"—Dutch for "sloppy science"—characterized by shortcuts, oversimplifications, and the proliferation of "truthies" (assertions that feel true regardless of their validity).

Working with colleague Brenden Meagher, Lissack identified how sloppy science undermines public trust through what he calls the "3Ts"—Truthies, TL;DR (oversimplification), and TCUSI (taking complex understanding for simple information). Their research revealed how "truthies spread rampantly during the pandemic, damaging public health communication" through "biased attention, confirmation bias, and confusion between surface information and deeper meanings".

"COVID-19 demonstrated that good science seldom comes from taking shortcuts or relying on 'truthies,'" Lissack notes.

"Good science, instead, demands that we continually ask what about a given factoid, label, category, or narrative affords its meaning—and then to base further inquiry on the assumptions, contexts, and constraints so revealed."

AI as the New Frontier of Questioning

As AI technologies, including Large Language Models (LLMs), continue to influence research and scientific methods, Lissack’s work has become increasingly relevant. In his book “Questioning Understanding”, Lissack presents a thoughtful examination of AI in scientific research, urging a responsible approach to its use. He discusses how AI tools may support scientific progress but also notes that their potential limitations can undermine the rigor of research if used uncritically.

"AI tools have the capacity to both support and challenge the quality of scientific inquiry, depending on how they are employed," says Lissack.

"It is essential that we engage with AI systems as partners in discovery—through reflective dialogue—rather than relying on them as simple solutions to complex problems."

He stresses that while AI can significantly accelerate research, it is still important for human researchers to remain critically engaged with the data and models produced, questioning the assumptions encoded within AI systems.

With over 2,130 citations on Google Scholar, Lissack’s work continues to shape discussions on how knowledge is created and applied in modern research. His innovative ideas have influenced numerous fields, from cybernetics to the integration of AI in scientific inquiry.

Recognition and Global Impact

Lissack’s contributions to the academic world have earned him significant recognition. He was named among “Wall Street’s 25 Smartest Players” by Worth Magazine and included in the “100 Americans Who Most Influenced How We Think About Money.” His efforts extend beyond personal recognition; he advocates for a research landscape that emphasizes integrity, critical thinking, and ethical foresight in the application of emerging technologies, ensuring that these tools foster scientific progress without compromising standards.

About "Questioning Understanding"

"Questioning Understanding" provides an in-depth exploration of the assumptions that guide scientific inquiry, urging readers to challenge their perspectives. Designed as a tête-bêche edition—two books in one with dual covers and no single entry point—it forces readers to choose where to begin: "Questioning → Understanding" or "Understanding → Questioning." This innovative format reflects the recursive relationship between inquiry and insight at the heart of his work.

As Michael explains: "Understanding is fluid... if understanding is a river, questions shape the canyon the river flows in." The book demonstrates how our assumptions about knowledge creation itself shape what we can discover, making the case for what he calls "reflexive scientific practice"—science that consciously examines its own presuppositions.

Photo Courtesy: Michael Lissack

About Michael Lissack

Michael Lissack is a globally recognized figure in second-order science, cybernetics, and AI ethics. He is the Executive Director of the Second Order Science Foundation and a Professor of Design and Innovation at Tongji University in Shanghai. Lissack has served as President of the American Society for Cybernetics and is widely acknowledged for his contributions to the field of complexity science and the promotion of rigorous, ethical research practices.

Building on foundational work in cybernetics and complexity science, Lissack developed the framework of UnCritically Examined Presuppositions (UCEPs)—nine key dimensions, including context dependence, quantitative indexicality, and fundierung dependence, that act as "enabling constraints" in scientific inquiry. These hidden assumptions simultaneously make scientific work possible while limiting what can be observed or understood.

As Lissack explains: "Second order science examines variations in values assumed for these UCEPs and looks at the resulting impacts on related scientific claims. Second order science reveals hidden issues, problems, and assumptions which all too often escape the attention of the practicing scientist."

Michael Lissack's books are available through major retailers. Learn more about his work at lissack.com and the Second Order Science Foundation at secondorderscience.org.

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Michael Lissack’s New Book “Questioning Understanding” Explores the Future of Scientific Inquiry and AI Ethics

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