Able Quote by Hilary Kornblith
“The fact that we have been able to develop a successful science, which issues in ever more accurate predictions and broader explanations, is the real ground for confidence that we are in a position to gain knowledge of the world around us. At the same time, one might ask how it is that the cognitive equipment we have came about, and here, no doubt, our evolutionary origins are relevant.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Nature of Scientific Knowledge, 2020
Science’s predictive success justifies confidence in our ability to understand the world, yet its origins lie in evolved cognition.
In simple terms: Science works, but our minds evolved to make it work.
Key Takeaway
Trust scientific methods while questioning their roots.
Themes
science
confidence
evolution
knowledge
methodology
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- research design
- education
- public policy
- science communication
Key Concepts
epistemology
cognitive evolution
philosophy of science
Questions to Reflect On
- How does evolutionary history shape scientific reasoning?
- Can we trust predictions without understanding origins?
A Different Perspective
Science alone cannot answer why our brains evolved to do it.
