The office of science is not to record possibilities; but…
“The office of science is not to record possibilities; but to ascertain what nature does ... As far as Darwinism deals with mere arguments of possibilities or even probabilities, without a basis of fact, it departs from the true scientific method and injures science, as most of the devotees of the new ism have already done.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Science should test what nature actually does, not just speculate on possibilities.
In simple terms: Science tests reality, not just ideas.
Key Takeaway
Focus on empirical evidence.
Themes
science
methodology
empiricism
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- research labs
- policy making
- education
- public discourse
Key Concepts
philosophy of science
Darwinism
skepticism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance hypothesis generation with empirical testing?
- What risks arise when speculation dominates scientific discourse?
A Different Perspective
Speculation can inspire hypotheses but must be followed by testing.