--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: By claiming that they can contribute to…" description: "\"“By claiming that they can contribute to software engineering, the soft scientists make themselves even more ridiculous. (Not less dangerous, alas!) In..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/544/edsger-w-dijkstra-61234_programming_by-claiming-that-they-can-contribute-to_1002832.jpg" --- # By claiming that they can contribute to software… ![“By claiming that they can contribute to software engineering, the soft scientists make themselves even more ridiculous. (Not less dangerous, alas!) In spite of its name, software engineering requires (cruelly) hard science for its support.” quote by Edsger W. Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/544/edsger-w-dijkstra-61234_programming_by-claiming-that-they-can-contribute-to_1002832.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/544/edsger-w-dijkstra-61234_programming_by-claiming-that-they-can-contribute-to_1002832.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/544/edsger-w-dijkstra-61234_programming_by-claiming-that-they-can-contribute-to_1002832.jpg) > ““By claiming that they can contribute to software engineering, the soft scientists make themselves even more ridiculous. (Not less dangerous, alas!) In spite of its name, software engineering requires (cruelly) hard science for its support.”” [Edsger W. Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-w-dijkstra/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Software engineering demands rigorous scientific foundations; soft science claims can appear absurd. **In simple terms:** Software engineering needs hard science. Key Takeaway Prioritize solid scientific methods. Themes engineering science methodology Mood critical analytical Type technical philosophical When to use this quote - project planning - team communication - risk assessment Key Concepts hard science soft science rigor Questions to Reflect On - Can soft science improve software processes? - When is interdisciplinary input valuable? A Different Perspective Soft science may offer useful perspectives but must be grounded. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Engineering Requires](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/engineering-requires-2126901/) [Engineering Soft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/engineering-soft-2126899/) [Hard Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard-science-536591/) [Programming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/programming/) [Requires Cruelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/requires-cruelly-2126900/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Soft Scientists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soft-scientists-2126898/) [Software engineering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/software-engineering/) ## Related quotes > [“Chubster is all for using hard science established through decades of serious study conducted by the world's experts in their respective fields -- with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-cizmar/chubster-is-all-for-using-hard-science-established-through-decades-of/) [Martin Cizmar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-cizmar/) > [“Are you really surprised by the endurance of religion? 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