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
The scientific spirit is of more value than its products, and irrationally held truths may be more harmful than reasoned errors.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The pursuit of scientific inquiry is more important than the actual findings, as false beliefs can be more damaging than mistakes based on rational thought.
This quote by Thomas Huxley emphasizes the importance of the scientific method and critical thinking over merely achieving results. It suggests that the process of questioning, exploring, and rational deduction is invaluable, and that blindly held beliefs can lead to more harm than well-reasoned mistakes. The essence of science lies in its spirit of inquiry and skepticism, which promotes progress and understanding.
Themes
ScienceTruthReasonInquiryBeliefs
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a science class to emphasize the importance of the scientific method.
More from Thomas Huxley
All quotes βThe 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
There is no scientific reason to think that we, even with space travel, are going to survive as a species for ever, certainly not by biting off the hand that feeds us, which is exactly what we are doing.
Lynn MargulisRead
Experimentation is the least arrogant method of gaining knowledge. The experimenter humbly asks a question of nature.
Isaac AsimovRead
At the sight of a single bone, of a single piece of bone, I recognize and reconstruct the portion of the whole from which it would have been taken. The whole being to which this fragment belonged appears in my mind's eye.
Georges CuvierRead
One of the pleasures of looking at the world through mathematical eyes is that you can see certain patterns that would otherwise be hidden.
Steven StrogatzRead
We have to understand the ubiquity of energy in everything we do. Energy is core to our economy and it brings with it environmental challenges, and it's core to our security challenges.
Ernest MonizRead
'Closed timelike curve' is the jargon for time travel. It means you go out, come back and meet yourself in the past.
Kip ThorneRead