--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Of course, if one ignores contradictory…" description: "\"Of course, if one ignores contradictory observations, one can claim to have an \"elegant\" or \"robust\" theory. But it isn't science.\" — Halton Arp" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c4/halton-arp-59308_accounts_of-course-if-one-ignores-contradictory-o_2389585.png" --- # Of course, if one ignores contradictory observations, one… ![“Of course, if one ignores contradictory observations, one can claim to have an "elegant" or "robust" theory. But it isn't science.” quote by Halton Arp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c4/halton-arp-59308_accounts_of-course-if-one-ignores-contradictory-o_2389585.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c4/halton-arp-59308_accounts_of-course-if-one-ignores-contradictory-o_2389585.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c4/halton-arp-59308_accounts_of-course-if-one-ignores-contradictory-o_2389585.png) > “Of course, if one ignores contradictory observations, one can claim to have an "elegant" or "robust" theory. But it isn't science.” [Halton Arp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/halton-arp/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Science requires confronting contradictory evidence rather than ignoring it to **In simple terms:** Ignoring contradictions is unscientific Key Takeaway Challenge assumptions with data Themes critical thinking science integrity Mood skeptical analytical Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - research - policy making - education - debate Key Concepts epistemology robustness Questions to Reflect On - How do you test a theory against opposing data? - What risks arise from selective evidence? A Different Perspective Overlooking data can lead to false confidence ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accounts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accounts/) [Claims](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/claims/) [Contradictory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contradictory/) [Contradictory Observations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contradictory-observations-2918525/) [Courses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courses/) [Elegant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elegant/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Ignores Contradictory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignores-contradictory-5946729/) [Observation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/observation/) [Observations Claim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/observations-claim-5946730/) [Robust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/robust/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Theory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theory/) [Theory Isn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theory-isn-2082279/) ## Related quotes > [I am convinced that this is the only means of advancing science, of clearing the mind from a confused heap of contradictory observations, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-reynolds/i-am-convinced-that-this-is-the-only-means-of-advancing-science-of/) [Joshua Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-reynolds/) > [“Leave nothing to chance. 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