Of course, if one ignores contradictory observations, one can claim to have an "elegant" or "robust" theory. But it isn't science.
Interpretation
Science requires a thorough and honest examination of all observations, including those that contradict existing theories.
In this quote, Halton Arp emphasizes the importance of considering all observations in scientific inquiry. He suggests that a theory may appear elegant or robust if contradictory evidence is ignored, but such an approach undermines the essence of science, which is built on rigorous investigation and acceptance of evidence that may challenge established beliefs.
In practice
In a debate about scientific theories, one may use this quote to stress the importance of acknowledging all evidence.
The world of science and the world of literature have much in common. Each is an international club, helping to tie mankind together across barriers of nationality, race and language. I have been doubly lucky, being accepted as a member of both.
The work of science is to substitute facts for appearances, and demonstrations for impressions.
Those who study the stars have God for a teacher.
The unreasonable efficiency of mathematics in science is a gift we neither understand nor deserve.
We have this very clean picture of science, you know, these well-established rules with which we make predictions. But when you're really doing science, when you're doing research, you're at the edge of what we know.
In the original introduction to the word meme in the last chapter of 'The Selfish Gene,' I did actually use the metaphor of a 'virus.' So when anybody talks about something going viral on the Internet, that is exactly what a meme is, and it looks as though the word has been appropriated for a subset of that.
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