Every good mathematician is at least half a philosopher, and every good philosopher is at least half a mathematician.
Gottlob FregeRead
'Facts, facts, facts,' cries the scientist if he wants to emphasize the necessity of a firm foundation for science. What is a fact? A fact is a thought that is true. But the scientist will surely not recognize something which depends on men's varying states of mind to be the firm foundation of science.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of objective facts in science, contrasting them with subjective beliefs.
Gottlob Frege's quote underscores the foundational role that objective facts play in the scientific method. He points out that while scientists insist on the necessity of facts for solid scientific inquiry, facts are ultimately determined by what is deemed true, which may not always align with varying human perceptions or interpretations. Thus, recognizing a clear distinction between subjective belief and objective truth is crucial for the integrity of scientific knowledge.
Themes
FactsScienceTruthObjectivityKnowledge
In practice
Example use cases
In a scientific debate, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of facts over personal beliefs.
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