We shall do better to abandon the whole attempt to learn…
“We shall do better to abandon the whole attempt to learn the truthunless we can trust to the human mind's having such a powerof guessing right that before very many hypotheses shall have been tried, intelligent guessing may be expected to lead us to one which will support all tests, leaving the vast majority of possible hypotheses unexamined.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Intelligent guessing can guide us to a hypothesis that survives all tests, without examining every possible alternative.
In simple terms: Smart guesses can lead to strong theories.
Key Takeaway
Use informed intuition to narrow hypotheses.
Themes
philosophy
science
methodology
logic
hypothesis testing
Mood
inquisitive
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
strategic
When to use this quote
- research design
- scientific inquiry
- problem solving
- creative brainstorming
- strategic planning
Key Concepts
inductive reasoning
abduction
probability theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What role does intuition play in scientific discovery?
- When should we prioritize systematic testing over educated guesses?
A Different Perspective
Relying on intuition may overlook better alternatives.