John M. Barry contrasts two ideas known as certainty and uncertainty to characterize scientific research. Barry begins his excerpt by making a statement about certainty and what it entails. Particularly, Barry states that certainty insinuates "Strength”, then contrasts the state of being certain with the idea of uncertainty to point out that it results in "weakness". According to Barry, within the field of science, there must be unknowns and this generates weakness. Barry subsequently explains that weakness is not always negative, "it is not the courage to venture into the unknown. It is the courage to accept-indeed, embrace- uncertainty". Barry is leading the readers to being empathizing with those who are uncertain creating a coherent respect
