Deceiving Quote by Imre Lakatos
“One may rationally stick to a degenerating research programme until it is overtaken by a rival and even after. What one must not do is to deny its poor public record... It is perfectly rational to play a risky game: what is irrational is to deceive oneself about the risk.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Methodology of Scientific Research Programmes, Imre Lakatos, 1970
A research program can be defended despite declining results, but one must not ignore its poor track record; honesty about risk is essential.
In simple terms: Defend a theory but admit its flaws.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge failures while pursuing ideas.
Themes
science
risk
integrity
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic work
- policy decisions
- investment strategies
Key Concepts
research programmes
rationality
self‑deception
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance commitment with critical self‑assessment?
- When is it rational to continue a failing project?
A Different Perspective
Ignoring evidence leads to larger errors later.
![“[There] are cases where there is no dishonesty involved but where people are tricked into false results by a lack of understanding about what human beings can do to themselves in the way of being led astray by subjective effects, wishful thinking or threshold interactions. These are examples of…” quote by Irving Langmuir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/629/irving-langmuir-34598_attention_there-are-cases-where-there-is-no-dishon_1612300.jpg)
![“The history of mathematics, lacking the guidance of philosophy, [is] blind, while the philosophy of mathematics, turning its back on the most intriguing phenomena in the history of mathematics, is empty.” quote by Imre Lakatos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6cf/imre-lakatos-23759_blind_the-history-of-mathematics-lacking-the-g_92259.jpg)
