Adequate Quote by Chinua Achebe
“And theories are no more than fictions which help us to make sense of experience and which are subject to disconfirmation when their explanations are no longer adequate.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Things Fall Apart, 1958
Ideas are stories we tell to explain reality, but they must be revised when they no longer fit observations.
In simple terms: Theories are useful stories that must be updated.
Key Takeaway
Update theories when evidence changes.
Themes
science
philosophy
epistemology
Mood
curious
critical
inquisitive
Type
analytical
reflective
When to use this quote
- research
- policy making
- education
- daily decision making
Key Concepts
falsifiability
theory change
interpretation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you know when a theory no longer fits?
- What evidence would cause you to revise a belief?
A Different Perspective
Theories can be biased or incomplete, limiting their usefulness.
