Men who have excessive faith in their theories ... make…
“Men who have excessive faith in their theories ... make poor observations, because they choose among the results of their experiments only what suits their object, neglecting whatever is unrelated to it and carefully setting aside everything which might tend toward the idea they wish to combat”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Excessive belief in a theory blinds researchers, causing selective observation and ignoring contradictory data.
In simple terms: Bias skews scientific observation.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions critically.
Themes
bias
observation
methodology
critical thinking
science
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- lab experiments
- policy analysis
- media reporting
- education curricula
Key Concepts
epistemology
research ethics
cognitive bias
Questions to Reflect On
- How can scientists guard against confirmation bias?
- What practices ensure objective data collection?
A Different Perspective
Overcoming bias requires deliberate effort and diverse perspectives.