All science is full of statements where you put your best…
“All science is full of statements where you put your best face on your ignorance, where you say: ... we know awfully little about this, but more or less irrespective of the stuff we don't know about, we can make certain useful deductions.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Science acknowledges its ignorance while still making useful deductions, highlighting humility and the provisional nature of knowledge.
In simple terms: Science admits limited knowledge yet still draws useful conclusions.
Key Takeaway
Accept uncertainty while pursuing useful insights.
Themes
science
humility
knowledge
uncertainty
methodology
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- research design
- policy analysis
- education
- public communication
Key Concepts
philosophy of science
epistemology
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance humility with progress?
- What safeguards prevent misuse of uncertain knowledge?
A Different Perspective
May lead to overconfidence in provisional conclusions.