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Asks Quote by Erving Goffman

“So I ask that these papers be taken for what they merely are: exercises, trials, tryouts, a means of displaying possibilities, not establishing fact.” quote by Erving Goffman
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“So I ask that these papers be taken for what they merely are: exercises, trials, tryouts, a means of displaying possibilities, not establishing fact.”

Erving Goffman

About This Quote

Source Essay: Sociology of Everyday Life, 1973

The author treats papers as experimental tools rather than definitive proof.

In simple terms: Papers are experiments, not facts.

Key Takeaway

Treat research as exploratory.

Themes

methodology science skepticism

Mood

analytical critical

Type

explanatory reflective

When to use this quote

  • academic research
  • policy making
  • product development

Key Concepts

Sociology epistemology

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we ensure experiments are not taken as final conclusions?
  • What safeguards protect against over‑reliance on preliminary data?
A Different Perspective

Experiments may still be misinterpreted as truth.

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