Accepting Quote by Bertrand Russell
“Science is at no moment quite right, but it is seldom quite wrong, and has, as a rule, a better chance of being right than the theories of the unscientific. It is, therefore, rational to accept it hypothetically.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Philosophy of Science, 1914
Science is never perfect but is generally more reliable than unscientific theories; it should be accepted provisionally.
In simple terms: Science is usually more reliable than pseudoscience.
Key Takeaway
Trust but question scientific claims.
Themes
science
philosophy
epistemology
critical thinking
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- research design
- policy making
- education
Key Concepts
theory testing
falsifiability
probabilistic reasoning
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance confidence in science with its limits?
- What role should skepticism play in scientific progress?
A Different Perspective
Science’s provisional nature can be misused to justify uncertainty.
![“If the State does not acquire supremacy over [vast private] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bad/bertrand-russell-69_acquire_if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy_1379.jpg)
