Science is a way to not fool ourselves.
Carl SaganRead
We wish to find the truth, no matter where it lies. But to find the truth we need imagination and skepticism both. We will not be afraid to speculate, but we will be careful to distinguish speculation from fact.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Finding truth requires both imaginative thinking and critical skepticism.
In this quote, Carl Sagan emphasizes the importance of imagination and skepticism in the pursuit of truth. He acknowledges that while it is essential to explore new ideas and possibilities, one must also be discerning and able to separate fact from speculation. This balance is crucial in scientific inquiry and understanding the world around us.
Themes
TruthImaginationSkepticismSpeculationFact
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a science class to encourage students to think critically and creatively.
More from Carl Sagan
All quotes →In more than one respect, the exploring of the Solar System and homesteading other worlds constitutes the beginning, much more than the end, of history.
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How smart does a chimpanzee have to be before killing him constitutes murder?
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The hole in the ozone layer is a kind of skywriting. At first it seemed to spell out our continuing complacency before a witch's brew of deadly perils. But perhaps it really tells of a newfound talent to work together to protect the global environment.
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There is a reward structure in science that is very interesting: Our highest honors go to those who disprove the findings of the most revered among us. So Einstein is revered not just because he made so many fundamental contributions to science, but because he found an imperfection in the fundamental contribution of Isaac Newton.
Carl SaganRead
The simplest thought, like the concept of the number one, has an elaborate logical underpinning.
Carl SaganRead
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