James believed that scientific inquiry, like any other…
““James believed that scientific inquiry, like any other form of inquiry, is an activity inspired and informed by our tastes, values, and hopes. But this does not, in his view, confer any special authority on the conclusions it reaches. On the contrary: it obligates us to regard those conclusions as provisional and partial, since it was for provisional and partial reasons that we undertook to find them.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Scientific inquiry is shaped by human values, making conclusions provisional and open to revision.
In simple terms: Science reflects our values, so findings are tentative.
Key Takeaway
Treat scientific conclusions as provisional.
Themes
science
philosophy
epistemology
humility
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- research design
- policy making
- education curriculum development
- public communication of science
Key Concepts
values
provisionality
partiality
Questions to Reflect On
- How do values influence scientific questions?
- What safeguards ensure provisional findings become reliable knowledge?
A Different Perspective
Provisional nature may be misused to undermine scientific consensus.