How certain do you need to be before you act?
In this opening episode of Reasonable Hope, Brian reflects on a lesson from actuarial science: life rarely operates in absolutes. While mathematics often deals in certainty—0 or 1—our daily decisions live somewhere in between.
Drawing from his years as an actuary, Brian explores the difference between certainty and confidence. Certainty is a psychological feeling of safety. Confidence, however, comes from the Latin com fide—“with faith.”
Engineers design bridges they are confident will stand, even though they can never guarantee 100% certainty. In the same way, faith may not require perfect certainty before we move forward.
What if commitment doesn’t require 100% certainty?
What if 51% is enough?
Soul Question:
What is something you’ve been holding back on because you’re waiting for complete certainty? Could you act on the 51% today?