False facts are highly injurious to the progress of…
““False facts are highly injurious to the progress of science, for they often endure long; but false views, if supported by some evidence, do little harm, for everyone takes a salutary pleasure in proving their falseness; and when this is done, one path towards error is closed and the road to truth is often at the same time opened.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
False facts hinder scientific progress, but false views with some evidence are harmless because testing them closes errors and opens truth.
In simple terms: Wrong facts block science; testing false ideas helps truth.
Key Takeaway
Test and refute false ideas.
Themes
science
truth
error correction
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- research
- education
- policy making
- public discourse
Key Concepts
epistemology
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we ensure evidence is sufficient before testing?
- What mechanisms guard against entrenched false facts?
A Different Perspective
If evidence is weak, false views may persist unchallenged.