In real science a hypothesis can never be proved true...A…
“In real science a hypothesis can never be proved true...A science which confines itself to correlating phenomena can never learn anything about the reality underlying the phenomena, while a science which goes further than this and introduces hypotheses about reality, can never acquire certain knowledge of a positive kind about reality; in whatever way we proceed, this is forever denied us.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Science must go beyond mere correlation to hypothesize about underlying reality, though absolute certainty remains unattainable.
In simple terms: Science seeks deeper truth, not just patterns.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions, explore beyond data.
Themes
science
philosophy
uncertainty
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
academic
When to use this quote
- research design
- academic debate
- policy analysis
Key Concepts
epistemology
theory building
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence would shift your confidence in a theory?
- How do you balance skepticism with curiosity?
A Different Perspective
Hypotheses may never be fully proven.