Science does not rest upon solid bedrock. The bold…
“Science does not rest upon solid bedrock. The bold structure of its theories rises, as it were, above a swamp. It is like a building erected on piles. The piles are driven down from above into the swamp, but not down to any natural or 'given' base; and when we cease our attempts to drive our piles into a deeper layer, it is not because we have reached firm ground. We simply stop when we are satisfied that they are firm enough to carry the structure, at least for the time being.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Scientific theories rest on provisional foundations, like piles driven into a swamp, not on absolute certainty.
In simple terms: Science builds on workable assumptions, not solid ground.
Key Takeaway
Accept uncertainty.
Themes
science
philosophy
methodology
Mood
analytical
curious
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- research design
- policy making
- education
Key Concepts
falsifiability
theory building
epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- What assumptions are you treating as immutable?
- How can you test the stability of your theories?
A Different Perspective
Overreliance on provisional foundations can hinder deeper inquiry.