Asks Quote by Peter Medawar
“Ask a scientist what he conceives the scientific method to be and he will adopt an expression that is at once solemn and shifty-eyed: solemn, because he feels he ought to declare an opinion; shifty-eyed, because he is wondering how to conceal the fact that he has no opinion to declare.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Scientist and the Soul, 1979
Scientists claim objectivity but often mask uncertainty with confident language, revealing hidden bias.
In simple terms: Scientists hide uncertainty with confident words.
Key Takeaway
Demand transparency in scientific claims.
Themes
science
truth
communication
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- academic publishing
- public policy
- media reporting
Key Concepts
epistemology
bias
rhetoric
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we better reveal uncertainty?
- What role does rhetoric play in science?
A Different Perspective
Confidence can mislead audiences.
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