Order and reason, beauty and benevolence, are characteristics and conceptions which we find solely associated with the mind of man.
Karl PearsonRead
The classification of facts and the formation of absolute judgments upon the basis of this classification-judgments independent of the idiosyncrasies of the individual mind-essentially sum up the aim and method of modern science. The scientific man has above all things to strive at self-elimination in his judgments, to provide an argument which is as true for each individual mind as for his own.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the objective nature of scientific inquiry, urging scientists to minimize personal biases in their judgments.
In this quote, Karl Pearson articulates the essence of modern science as being rooted in the classification of facts and forming universal, unbiased judgments. He underscores the importance of striving for objectivity, suggesting that a scientist must aim to eliminate personal biases and ensure that their conclusions are universally applicable, thereby transcending individual perspectives. This objective approach is pivotal for the integrity and reliability of scientific endeavors.
Themes
ScienceObjectivityJudgmentBiasFacts
In practice
Example use cases
In a scientific conference discussing the importance of objectivity in research.
More from Karl Pearson
All quotes →If I have put the case of science at all correctly, the reader will have recognised that modern science does much more than demand that it shall be left in undisturbed possession of what the theologian and metaphysician please to term its 'legitimate field'. It claims that the whole range of phenomena, mental as well as physical-the entire universe-is its field. It asserts that the scientific method is the sole gateway to the whole region of knowledge.
Karl PearsonRead
All great scientists have, in a certain sense, been great artists; the man with no imagination may collect facts, but he cannot make great discoveries.
Karl PearsonRead
Statistics is the grammar of science.
Karl PearsonRead
That which is measured improves. That which is measured and reported improves exponentially.
Karl PearsonRead
The scientific method of examining facts is not peculiar to one class of phenomena and to one class of workers; it is applicable to social as well as to physical problems, and we must carefully guard ourselves against supposing that the scientific frame of mind is a peculiarity of the professional scientist.
Karl PearsonRead
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