It is wrong for a man to say that he is certain of the objective truth of any proposition unless he can produce evidence which logically justifies that certainty.
Thomas HuxleyRead
Any one who has studied the history of science knows that almost every great step therein has been made by the "anticipation of Nature," that is, by the invention of hypotheses, which, though verifiable, often had very little foundation to start with; and, not unfrequently, in spite of a long career of usefulness, turned out to be wholly erroneous in the long run.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The progress of science often relies on hypothesizing about nature, even if those ideas eventually prove incorrect.
This quote by Thomas Huxley emphasizes the crucial role that hypotheses play in the advancement of scientific knowledge. It suggests that many significant discoveries and developments arise from the imaginative projections of scientists, who boldly propose ideas that may lack solid evidence at their inception. Even when such hypotheses are later disproven, their initial formulation can still lead to valuable insights and improvements in understanding the natural world, illustrating the creative and often uncertain nature of scientific inquiry.
Themes
ScienceHypothesisNatureImaginationDiscovery
In practice
Example use cases
In a presentation on the scientific method, you could begin with this quote to highlight the importance of creativity in science.
More from Thomas Huxley
All quotes →The child who has been taught to make an accurate elevation, plan, and section of a pint pot has had an admirable training in accuracy of eye and hand.
Thomas HuxleyRead
Let us have "sweet girl graduates" by all means. They will be none the less sweet for a little wisdom; and the "golden hair" will not curl less gracefully outside the head by reason of there being brains within.
Thomas HuxleyRead
The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of childhood into maturity.
Thomas HuxleyRead
It is the first duty of a hypothesis to be intelligible.
Thomas HuxleyRead
Of the few innocent pleasures left to men past middle life, the jamming of common sense down the throats of fools is perhaps the keenest.
Thomas HuxleyRead
Similar quotes
Universe consists of frozen light.
David BohmRead
Submit an agreement providing for the peaceful absorbtion of a celestial races in such a manner that our culture would remain intact with guarantee that their presence not be revealed." "One must consider the fact that mis-identification of these space craft for a intercontinental missile in a re-entry phase of flight could lead to accidental nuclear war with horrible consequences.
J. Robert OppenheimerRead
We fly to 106 kilometers. We've always had as our mission that we always wanted to fly above the Karman line because we didn't want there to be any asterisks next to your name about whether you're an astronaut or not.
Jeff BezosRead
Right now, there could well be messages from the stars flying right through this room. Through you and me. And if we had the right receiver set up properly, we could detect them. I still get chills thinking about it.
Frank DrakeRead
Science is the topography of ignorance.
Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.Read
The fairest thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true science. He who knows it not, and can no longer wonder, no longer feel amazement, is as good as dead. We all had this priceless talent when we were young. But as time goes by, many of us lose it. The true scientist never loses the faculty of amazement. It is the essence of his being.
Hans SelyeRead