A nice adaptation of conditions will make almost any…
“A nice adaptation of conditions will make almost any hypothesis agree with the phenomena. This will please the imagination but does not advance our knowledge.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Adapting conditions to fit a hypothesis pleases imagination but stalls real knowledge.
In simple terms: Fitting data to theory hinders progress.
Key Takeaway
Seek objective testing.
Themes
science
methodology
truth
imagination
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- experimental design
- data analysis
- peer review
- hypothesis formulation
Key Concepts
philosophy of science
empiricism
theory testing
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we guard against bias?
- What standards ensure genuine discovery?
A Different Perspective
Over‑fitting can mislead conclusions.