---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Proof that a given condition always…"
description: "\"Proof that a given condition always precedes or accompanies a phenomenon does not warrant concluding with certainty that a given condition is the immed..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33b/claude-bernard-7455_accompany_proof-that-a-given-condition-always-prec_2985339.png"
---

#  Proof that a given condition always precedes or…

![“Proof that a given condition always precedes or accompanies a phenomenon does not warrant concluding with certainty that a given condition is the immediate cause of that phenomenon. It must still be established that when this condition is removed, the phenomen will no longer appear.” quote by Claude Bernard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33b/claude-bernard-7455_accompany_proof-that-a-given-condition-always-prec_2985339.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33b/claude-bernard-7455_accompany_proof-that-a-given-condition-always-prec_2985339.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33b/claude-bernard-7455_accompany_proof-that-a-given-condition-always-prec_2985339.png)

> “Proof that a given condition always precedes or accompanies a phenomenon does not warrant concluding with certainty that a given condition is the immediate cause of that phenomenon. It must still be established that when this condition is removed, the phenomen will no longer appear.”

[Claude Bernard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-bernard/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Correlation does not prove causation; removing a condition must stop the phenomenon to confirm cause.

**In simple terms:** Correlation isn’t causation; need to test by removal.

Key Takeaway

Test causality by eliminating variables.

Themes

science logic methodology critical thinking

Mood

analytical skeptical

Type

principle instruction

When to use this quote

- research studies
- clinical trials
- policy analysis
- problem solving

Key Concepts

philosophy of science experimental design statistics

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you handle confounding factors?
- When is correlation sufficient for action?

A Different Perspective

Some relationships are complex and not easily isolated.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

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## More by Claude Bernard

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