The theory that gravitational attraction is inversely…
“The theory that gravitational attraction is inversely proportional to the square of the distance leads by remorseless logic to the conclusion that the path of a planet should be an ellipse … It is this logical thinking that is the real meat of the physical sciences. The social scientist keeps the skin and throws away the meat… His theorems no more follow from his postulates than the hunches of a horse player follow logically from the latest racing news. The result is guesswork clad in long flowing robes of gobbledygook.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Physical sciences rely on logical deduction from fundamental laws; social sciences often lack such rigorous foundations.
In simple terms: Science varies in logical rigor.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the methodological limits of different fields.
Themes
science
methodology
logic
discipline
skepticism
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- policy analysis
- education
- public discourse
Key Concepts
philosophy of science
empiricism
theory vs practice
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we strengthen rigor in social studies?
- What role does intuition play in scientific breakthroughs?
A Different Perspective
Social sciences also provide valuable insights despite less formal logic.