There is no such thing as absolute truth and absolute…
“There is no such thing as absolute truth and absolute falsehood. The scientific mind should never recognise the perfect truth or the perfect falsehood of any supposed theory or observation. It should carefully weigh the chances of truth and error and grade each in its proper position along the line joining absolute truth and absolute error.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Absolute certainty is unattainable; scientific thinking should weigh probabilities and accept uncertainty.
In simple terms: Science embraces uncertainty and probabilistic judgment.
Key Takeaway
Adopt a nuanced view of truth.
Themes
science
uncertainty
truth
probability
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
Absolute truth:1
Chance:1
Errors:1
Falsehood:1
Grades:1
Joining:1
Lines:1
Mind:1
Observation:1
Perfect:0
Position:0
Recognise:0
Science:1
Should:0
Theory:1
Truth:1
Truth Absolute:0
Absolute Falsehood:0
Falsehood Scientific:0
Perfect Falsehood:0
When to use this quote
- research evaluation
- policy making
- personal belief systems
Key Concepts
epistemology
critical thinking
philosophy of science
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance doubt and action?
- When is certainty necessary?
A Different Perspective
Over‑emphasis on uncertainty can cause indecision.