The discovery of instances which confirm a theory means…
““The discovery of instances which confirm a theory means very little if we have not tried, and failed, to discover refutations. For if we are uncritical we shall always find what we want: we shall look for, and find, confirmation, and we shall look away from, and not see, whatever might be dangerous to our pet theories. In this way it is only too easy to obtain what appears to be overwhelming evidence in favour of a theory which, if approached critically, would have been refuted.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Scientific progress requires actively seeking refutations, not just confirming evidence, to avoid bias.
In simple terms: Test theories by trying to falsify them.
Key Takeaway
Actively challenge your assumptions.
Themes
science
critical thinking
methodology
Mood
inquisitive
skeptical
Type
educational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- research design
- policy analysis
- education
Key Concepts
falsifiability
bias
epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- What strategies help identify hidden biases?
- How can we balance confirmation and falsification?
A Different Perspective
Seeking refutations can be time‑consuming and risky.