To know the history of science is to recognize the mortality of any claim to universal truth.
Evelyn Fox KellerRead
I believe in truths, but I don't believe in the Truth. Furthermore, I think that vision of an underlying Truth, with as capital T, that scientists are privy to, has been a very counterproductive vision. It has served scientists very well, but what it has done, above all, is encloses the world of science and immunize it from criticism.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests skepticism about absolute truths, emphasizing subjective understanding in science.
Evelyn Fox Keller's quote challenges the notion of an ultimate, unchanging truth in science. She argues that the belief in a singular 'Truth' can limit critical thinking and open discourse, making science less adaptable and perhaps resistant to necessary scrutiny. Instead, she advocates for recognizing the multitude of truths shaped by personal and contextual perspectives, thereby fostering a more dynamic and critically engaged scientific community.
Themes
TruthScienceSubjectivityCriticismPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on scientific methodology, one could use this quote to encourage students to question established ideas.
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