Agents Quote by David Quammen
“Wallace's sales agent, back in London, heard mutterings from some naturalists that young Mr. Wallace ought to quit theorizing and stick to gathering facts. Besides expressing their condescension toward him in particular, that criticism also reflected a common attitude that fact-gathering, not theory, was the proper business of all naturalists.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Reluctant Mr. Darwin, David Quammen, 2005
Critics urged Wallace to abandon theory for pure data, reflecting a bias that naturalists should only collect facts.
In simple terms: Some thought Wallace should stop theorizing and just gather facts.
Key Takeaway
Value both observation and interpretation.
Themes
science
bias
theory
observation
history
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
historical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- fieldwork
- education
- public outreach
Key Concepts
epistemology
scientific method
philosophy of science
Questions to Reflect On
- How does theory enhance factual work?
- What are the risks of ignoring theory?
A Different Perspective
Theory is essential for interpreting facts and guiding research.
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