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Accepting Quote by Percy Williams Bridgman

“The process that I want to call scientific is a process that involves the continual apprehension of meaning, the constant appraisal of significance accompanied by a running act of checking to be sure that I am doing what I want to do, and of judging correctness or incorrectness. This checking and…” quote by Percy Williams Bridgman
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“The process that I want to call scientific is a process that involves the continual apprehension of meaning, the constant appraisal of significance accompanied by a running act of checking to be sure that I am doing what I want to do, and of judging correctness or incorrectness. This checking and judging and accepting, that together constitute understanding, are done by me and can be done for me by no one else. They are as private as my toothache, and without them science is dead.”

Percy Williams Bridgman

About This Quote

Source Book: The Logic of Modern Physics by Percy W. Bridgman, 1950

Science requires personal, continual self‑assessment of meaning and correctness, a private process essential for understanding.

In simple terms: Science needs personal judgment.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate self‑reflection in work.

Themes

science philosophy self‑assessment

Mood

analytical thoughtful

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • research
  • education
  • decision making
  • critical thinking

Key Concepts

epistemology autonomy

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you ensure objectivity?
  • What practices guard against self‑deception?
A Different Perspective

Self‑assessment can be biased.

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