Accepted Quote by Fischer Black
“In the end, a theory is accepted not because it is confirmed by conventional empirical tests, but because researchers persuade one another that the theory is correct and relevant.”
About This Quote
Source Paper: Theory Choice in Economics, Journal of Economic Perspectives, 1990
Theories gain acceptance through persuasive consensus, not just empirical verification.
In simple terms: Persuasion drives theory acceptance.
Key Takeaway
Build compelling arguments for ideas.
Themes
science
philosophy
consensus
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
academic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic conferences
- policy debates
- research collaborations
Key Concepts
epistemology
social dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you test a theory’s validity?
- What role does peer review play?
A Different Perspective
Overreliance on persuasion may overlook falsifiable evidence.
![“We have reached a situation where a theory has been accepted as fact by some, and possible contrary evidence is shunted aside. [This is] mythology rather than science.” quote by Robert Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c31/robert-shapiro-26969_accepted_we-have-reached-a-situation-where-a-theo_19120.jpg)
![“In the real world of research, conventional tests of [statistical] significance seem almost worthless.” quote by Fischer Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3a4/fischer-black-60662_conventional_in-the-real-world-of-research-convention_163947.jpg)
