But at the same time, there must never be the least…
“But at the same time, there must never be the least hesitation in giving up a position the moment it is shown to be untenable. It is not going too far to say that the greatness of a scientific investigator does not rest on the fact of his having never made a mistake, but rather on his readiness to admit that he has done so, whenever the contrary evidence is cogent enough.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Scientific greatness stems not from never erring, but from openly correcting mistakes when evidence demands it, even if it means relinquishing a position.
In simple terms: Great scientists admit mistakes when evidence shows it.
Key Takeaway
Embrace error correction for scientific integrity.
Themes
science
integrity
error correction
evidence
humility
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
scientific
ethical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- peer review
- policy making
- personal growth
- public discourse
Key Concepts
philosophy of science
critical thinking
research methodology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can institutions support honest error correction?
- What cultural changes encourage scientific humility?
A Different Perspective
Admitting errors can damage reputations or funding.