Bases Quote by Ernest Nagel
“It is the desire for explanations that are at once systematic and controllable by factual evidence that generates science; and it is the organization and classification of knowledge on the basis of explanatory principles that is the distinctive goal of the sciences.”
About This Quote
Source Article: The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, Thomas S. Kuhn, 1962 (cited by Nagel)
Science seeks systematic, evidence‑based explanations and organizes knowledge by explanatory principles.
In simple terms: Science aims for clear, evidence‑backed explanations.
Key Takeaway
Focus on building explanations that can be tested.
Themes
science
methodology
knowledge
explanation
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
Type
academic
technical
When to use this quote
- research design
- education curricula
- policy analysis
- data science
Key Concepts
Epistemology
logic
classification
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence best supports your current theory?
- How can you improve classification of knowledge?
A Different Perspective
Complex phenomena may resist simple systematic categorization.
![“[In science any model depends on a pre-chosen taxonomy] a set of classifications into which we divide the enormous complexity of the real world... Land, labor, and capital are extremely heterogeneous aggregates, not much better than earth, air, fire, and water.” quote by Kenneth E. Boulding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/47e/kenneth-e-boulding-3728_air_in-science-any-model-depends-on-a-pre-ch_12383.jpg)
