Our empirical criterion for a series of theories is that…
“Our empirical criterion for a series of theories is that it should produce new facts. The idea of growth and the concept of empirical character are soldered into one.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A theory's worth is judged by its ability to generate novel, testable predictions.
In simple terms: Theories should yield new facts.
Key Takeaway
Seek theories that predict new data.
Themes
science
philosophy
methodology
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
academic
When to use this quote
- research design
- model building
- scientific debate
Key Concepts
empiricism
theory growth
prediction
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you test a theory's predictive power?
- What counts as a "new fact"?
A Different Perspective
New facts may be hard to verify quickly.