The scientific value of truth is not, however, ultimate or…
“The scientific value of truth is not, however, ultimate or absolute. It rests partly on practical, partly on aesthetic interests. As our ideas are gradually brought into conformity with the facts by the painful process of selection,-for intuition runs equally into truth and into error, and can settle nothing if not controlled by experience,-we gain vastly in our command over our environment. This is the fundamental value of natural science”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Science values truth not as absolute but as useful, shaped by practical and aesthetic concerns and guided by experience.
In simple terms: Science seeks useful truth, not ultimate.
Key Takeaway
Balance utility and beauty in inquiry.
Themes
science
truth
practicality
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- research design
- technology development
- education curricula
Key Concepts
philosophy of science
aesthetics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance usefulness and accuracy?
- What role does aesthetics play in science?
A Different Perspective
May undervalue absolute truths.