Conception Quote by Henri Poincare
“It is often said that experiments should be made without preconceived ideas. That is impossible. Not only would it make every experiment fruitless, but even if we wished to do so, it could not be done. Every man has his own conception of the world, and this he cannot so easily lay aside. We must, example, use language, and our language is necessarily steeped in preconceived ideas. Only they are unconscious preconceived ideas, which are a thousand times the most dangerous of all.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Science and Method, 1908
Experiments cannot be free of preconceived ideas; language and unconscious biases shape all inquiry, making true objectivity impossible.
In simple terms: Experiments are always influenced by prior ideas and language.
Key Takeaway
Accept inherent bias in research.
Themes
science
philosophy
bias
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
philosophical
scientific
When to use this quote
- laboratory work
- theoretical modeling
- peer review
Key Concepts
methodology
language
unconscious assumptions
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we mitigate bias?
- What role does language play in shaping thought?
A Different Perspective
Complete neutrality is unattainable.
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