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It is the desire for explanations that are at once…

“It is the desire for explanations that are at once systematic and controllable by factual evidence that generates science; and it is the organization and classification of knowledge on the basis of explanatory principles that is the distinctive goal of the sciences.” quote by Ernest Nagel
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“It is the desire for explanations that are at once systematic and controllable by factual evidence that generates science; and it is the organization and classification of knowledge on the basis of explanatory principles that is the distinctive goal of the sciences.”

Ernest Nagel

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Science seeks systematic, evidence‑based explanations and organizes knowledge by explanatory principles.

In simple terms: Science aims for clear, evidence‑backed explanations.

Key Takeaway

Focus on building explanations that can be tested.

Themes

science methodology knowledge explanation

Mood

analytical inquisitive

Type

academic technical

When to use this quote

  • research design
  • education curricula
  • policy analysis
  • data science

Key Concepts

Epistemology logic classification

Questions to Reflect On

  • What evidence best supports your current theory?
  • How can you improve classification of knowledge?
A Different Perspective

Complex phenomena may resist simple systematic categorization.

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