Confidence Quote by Arthur Eddington
“It is also a good rule not to put overmuch confidence in the observational results that are put forward until they are confirmed by theory.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Scientific Lecture, 1930s
Caution against trusting raw data without theoretical support.
In simple terms: Data alone isn’t enough; theory needed.
Key Takeaway
Seek theory before trusting observations.
Themes
science
methodology
skepticism
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
educational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- research design
- data analysis
- peer review
Key Concepts
empiricism
theory validation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance data and theory?
- When should you trust observational results?
A Different Perspective
Theory may lag behind data, limiting immediate confidence.
![“My colleagues in elementary particle theory in many lands [and I] are driven by the usual insatiable curiosity of the scientist, and our work is a delightful game. I am frequently astonished that it so often results in correct predictions of experimental results. How can it be that writing down a…” quote by Murray Gell-Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b04/murray-gell-mann-12560_colleagues_my-colleagues-in-elementary-particle-the_95425.jpg)
