Whitman, Walt -- Remark to the author (4 May 1888), Horace Traubel, Walt...
I like the scientific spirit — the holding off, the being sure but not too sure, the willingness to surrender ideas when the evidence is against them: this is ultimately fine — it always keeps the way...
View ArticleHaldane, J.B.S. -- “The Truth About Death,” Journal of Genetics, Vol. 58,...
I suppose the process of acceptance will pass through the usual four stages: 1. This is worthless nonsense, 2. This is an interesting, but perverse, point of view, 3. This is true, but quite...
View ArticleBernard, Claude -- An Introduction to the Study of Experimental Medicine...
When we meet a fact which contradicts a prevailing theory, we must accept the fact and abandon the theory, even when the theory is supported by great names and generally accepted. Claude Bernard...
View ArticleBernard, Claude -- An Introduction to the Study of Experimental Medicine...
Theories are only verified hypotheses, verified by more or less numerous facts. Those verified by the most facts are the best, but even then they are never final, never to be absolutely believed....
View ArticlePratchett, Terry -- Lords and Ladies (1992)
Another fine quotation from WIST - Wish I'd Said That! . In fact, the mere act of opening the box will determine the state of the cat, although in this case there were three determinate states the cat...
View ArticleVerne, Jules -- Journey to the Center of the Earth, ch. 7 “A Woman’s Courage”...
Another fine quotation from WIST - Wish I'd Said That! . Was I to believe him in earnest in his intention to penetrate to the centre of this massive globe? Had I been listening to the mad speculations...
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Orwell, George -- The Road to Wigan Pier, ch. 11 (1937)
As with the Christian religion, the worst advertisement for Socialism is its adherents. George Orwell (1903-1950) English writer [pseud. of Eric Arthur Blair]The Road to Wigan Pier, ch. 11 (1937)
View ArticleEmerson, Ralph Waldo -- “Circles,” Essays: First Series (1841)
No facts are to me sacred; none are profane; I simply experiment, an endless seeker, with no Past at my back. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) American essayist, lecturer, poet“Circles,” Essays: First...
View ArticleKeynes, John Maynard -- (Attributed)
When my information changes, I alter my conclusions. What do you do, sir? John Maynard Keynes (1883-1946) English economist(Attributed) Reply to a criticism of having changed his position on monetary...
View ArticleFeynman, Richard -- The Character of Physical Law, ch. 3 “The Great...
So we have to make guesses in order to give any utility at all to science. In order to avoid simply describing experiments that have been done, we have to propose laws beyond their observed range....
View ArticleFeynman, Richard -- “Cargo Cult Science,” commencement address, California...
Details that could throw doubt on your interpretation must be given, if you know them. You must do the best you can — if you know anything at all wrong, or possibly wrong — to explain it. If you make a...
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Flaubert, Gustave -- Letter to Louis Bouilhet (4 Sep 1850)
Stupidity lies in wanting to draw conclusions. [L’ineptie consiste à vouloir conclure. […] Oui, la bêtise consiste à vouloir conclure.] Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880) French writer, novelistLetter to...
View ArticleClifford, William Kingdon -- “The Ethics of Belief,” Part 2 “The Weight of...
The rule which should guide us in such cases is simple and obvious enough: that the aggregate testimony of our neighbours is subject to the same conditions as the testimony of any one of them. Namely,...
View ArticleLocke, John -- An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, Book 4 “Of Knowledge...
There is nobody, in the commonwealth of learning, who does not profess himself a lover of truth, — and there is not a rational creature, that would not take it amiss, to be thought otherwise of. And...
View ArticleTeller, Edward -- Conversations on the Dark Secrets of Physics, ch. 5 (1991)...
A fact is a simple statement that everyone believes. It is innocent, unless found guilty. A hypothesis is a novel suggestion that no one wants to believe. It is guilty, until found effective. Edward...
View ArticleArendt, Hannah -- The Origins of Totalitarianism, Part 1, ch. 1 “Antisemitism...
Caution in handling generally accepted opinions that claim to explain whole trends of history is especially important for the historian of modern times, because the last century has produced an...
View ArticleAristotle -- Nicomachean Ethics [Ἠθικὰ Νικομάχεια], Book 1, ch. 8 (1.8,...
For with the truth, all the given facts harmonize; but with what is false, the truth soon hits a wrong note. [τῷ μὲν γὰρ ἀληθεῖ πάντα συνᾴδει τὰ ὑπάρχοντα, τῷ δὲ ψευδεῖ ταχὺ διαφωνεῖ τἀληθές.]...
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