Woe to the investigator so in love with his new idea that…
““Woe to the investigator so in love with his new idea that he neglects to test it rigorously against received wisdom; woe also to the investigator so in love with his old conceptions that he refuses to weigh the merits of a new insight.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Researchers can become attached to new or old ideas, ignoring rigorous testing against established knowledge.
In simple terms: Scientists may favor ideas they love over objective evidence.
Maintain objectivity and test all ideas equally.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- lab research
- theory development
- peer review
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you guard against bias?
- When have you changed a belief after testing?
Over‑attachment to ideas can hinder progress.