Causality Quote by Banesh Hoffmann
“To pry into the secrets of this world, we must make experiments. But experiment is a clumsy instrument, afflicted with a fatal determinacy which destroys causality.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Nature of Science by Banesh Hoffmann, 1955
Scientific inquiry relies on experiments, yet their deterministic nature can obscure true causal relationships.
In simple terms: Experiments can hide cause and effect.
Key Takeaway
Recognize limits of experimental causality.
Themes
science
philosophy
methodology
Mood
curious
critical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- laboratory research
- policy analysis
- technology development
Key Concepts
determinism
causality
experimental design
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we complement experiments to reveal hidden causes?
- What alternatives exist to pure experimentation?
A Different Perspective
Experiments may oversimplify complex systems.
