Contradicting Quote by Charles Caleb Colton
“Theory is worth but little, unless it can explain its own phenomena, and it must effect this without contradicting itself; therefore, the facts are sometimes assimilated to the theory, rather than the theory to the facts.”
About This Quote
A theory must explain phenomena without internal contradictions; otherwise, facts are forced to fit the theory instead of the theory fitting facts.
In simple terms: Theory must be self‑consistent and fact‑driven.
Key Takeaway
Self‑consistent theories align with reality.
Themes
philosophy of science
logic
methodology
theory
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
philosophical
academic
When to use this quote
- developing a scientific model
- crafting a business strategy
- forming a legal argument
Key Concepts
coherence
empiricism
Practical Applications
- Validate theories against independent data before adoption.
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it acceptable to adjust theory to accommodate new facts?
- How do we detect hidden contradictions?
A Different Perspective
Strict adherence to consistency may reject useful provisional models.
![“If the theory accurately predicts what they [scientists] see, it confirms that it's a good theory. If they see something that the theory didn't lead them to believe, that's what Thomas Kuhn calls an anomaly. The anomaly requires a revised theory - and you just keep going through the cycle, making…” quote by Clayton Christensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c34/clayton-christensen-2433_anomalies_if-the-theory-accurately-predicts-what-t_1821068.jpg)
