Absolute certainty Quote by Ashley Montagu
“Scientists do not believe in fundamental and absolute certainties. For the scientist, certainty is never an end, but a search; not the ordering of certainty, but its exploration. For the scientist, certainty represents the highest degree of probability.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Nature of Scientific Inquiry, 1950
Science embraces uncertainty, viewing it as a path to deeper understanding rather than a final answer.
In simple terms: Science seeks truth, not certainty.
Key Takeaway
Value inquiry over certainty.
Themes
science
uncertainty
inquiry
Mood
curious
analytical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- research design
- policy making
- education reform
Key Concepts
probability
philosophy of science
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you handle unknowns?
- What role does probability play in decisions?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on certainty can stifle innovation.
![“We do know, with absolute certainty, that [Saddam] is using his procurement system to acquire the equipment he needs in order to enrich uranium to build a nuclear weapon.” quote by Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cb4/dick-cheney-1810_absolute-certainty_we-do-know-with-absolute-certainty-that_363969.jpg)
