"True science has no belief," says Dr. Fenwick, in…
“"True science has no belief," says Dr. Fenwick, in Bulwer-Lytton's 'Strange Story;' "true science knows but three states of mind: denial, conviction, and the vast interval between the two, which is not belief, but the suspension of judgment." Such, perhaps, was true science in Dr. Fenwick's days. But the true science of our modern times proceeds otherwise; it either denies point-blank, without any preliminary investigation, or sits in the interim, between denial and conviction, and, dictionary in hand, invents new Graeco-Latin appellations for non-existing kinds of hysteria!”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Science should suspend belief, existing denial and conviction, but modern science often jumps to conclusions.
In simple terms: Suspend judgment.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions before concluding.
Themes
science
epistemology
skepticism
Mood
inquisitive
critical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- research design
- policy making
- media consumption
Key Concepts
methodology
bias
critical analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence would shift your stance?
- How to avoid bias in scientific inquiry?
A Different Perspective
Risk of paralysis by over‑analysis.