--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The method of science is tried and true…" description: "\"The method of science is tried and true. It is not perfect, it's just the best we have. And to abandon it, with its skeptical protocols, is the pathway..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/957/carl-sagan-160_abandon_the-method-of-science-is-tried-and-true_2460070.jpg" --- # The method of science is tried and true. It is not… ![“The method of science is tried and true. It is not perfect, it's just the best we have. And to abandon it, with its skeptical protocols, is the pathway to a dark age.” quote by Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/957/carl-sagan-160_abandon_the-method-of-science-is-tried-and-true_2460070.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/957/carl-sagan-160_abandon_the-method-of-science-is-tried-and-true_2460070.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/957/carl-sagan-160_abandon_the-method-of-science-is-tried-and-true_2460070.jpg) > “The method of science is tried and true. It is not perfect, it's just the best we have. And to abandon it, with its skeptical protocols, is the pathway to a dark age.” [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Science is the most reliable method we possess, though imperfect, and rejecting its skeptical rigor leads to societal decline. **In simple terms:** Science is our best, imperfect tool; abandoning it risks regression. Key Takeaway Trust and uphold scientific methods. Themes science skepticism progress risk Mood cautious optimistic Type educational inspirational When to use this quote - policy making - education - public health - technology development - environmental regulation Key Concepts empiricism methodology philosophy of science Questions to Reflect On - How can we protect scientific integrity? - What are the consequences of ignoring evidence? A Different Perspective Science can be misapplied or politicized, limiting its effectiveness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abandon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abandon/) [Abandon Skeptical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abandon-skeptical-646738/) [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Dark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark/) [Dark ages](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dark-ages/) [Method](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/method/) [Method Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/method-science-646740/) [Not perfect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/not-perfect/) [Pathways](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pathways/) [Perfect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfect/) [Protocol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protocol/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Science Tried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science-tried-646737/) [Scientific method](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scientific-method/) [Skeptical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skeptical/) [Skeptical Protocols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skeptical-protocols-646739/) ## Related quotes > [When people think science and cooking, they have no idea that it's not correctly expressed. 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Compare what you expected with what really happened.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-nye/with-each-step-in-the-process-we-used-the-method-of-science-observe/) [Bill Nye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-nye/) > [We place no reliance On virgin or pigeon; Our Method is Science, Our Aim is Religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleister-crowley/we-place-no-reliance-on-virgin-or-pigeon-our-method-is-science-our/) [Aleister Crowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleister-crowley/) > [Why should there be the method of science? There is not just one way to build a house, or even to grow tomatoes. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-hacking/why-should-there-be-the-method-of-science-there-is-not-just-one-way/) [Ian Hacking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-hacking/) > [In science it often happens that scientists say, "You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken..."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/in-science-it-often-happens-that-scientists-say-you-know-that-s-a-2/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [If we can't think for ourselves, if we're unwilling to question authority, then we're just putty in the hands of those in power. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/if-we-can-t-think-for-ourselves-if-we-re-unwilling-to-question-2/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [We should be teaching our children the scientific method and the reasons for a Bill of Rights. With it comes a certain decency, humility…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/we-should-be-teaching-our-children-the-scientific-method-and-the/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [“Why do we put up with it? Do we like to be criticized? No, no scientist enjoys it. Every scientist feels a proprietary affection…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/why-do-we-put-up-with-it-do-we-like-to-be-criticized-no-no-scientist/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [If we can't think for ourselves, if we're unwilling to question authority, then we're just putty in the hands of those in power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/if-we-can-t-think-for-ourselves-if-we-re-unwilling-to-question/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [My parents were not scientists. They knew almost nothing about science. But in introducing me simultaneously to skepticism and to wonder, they taught me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/my-parents-were-not-scientists-they-knew-almost-nothing-about-science/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) ## More by Carl Sagan > [It is sometimes said that scientists are unromantic, that their passion to figure out robs the world of beauty and mystery. 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