Data Quote by Peter Medawar
“In all sensation we pick and choose, interpret, seek and impose order, and devise and test hypotheses about what we witness. Sense data are taken, not merely given: we learn to perceive… The teacher has forgotten, and the student himself will soon forget, that what he sees conveys no information until he knows beforehand the kind of thing he is expected to see.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Art of the Possible by Peter Medawar, 1979
We actively construct perception by selecting, interpreting, and hypothesizing about sensory input, rather than passively receiving it.
In simple terms: Perception is an active, hypothesis‑driven process.
Key Takeaway
Question your assumptions before interpreting data.
Themes
cognition
perception
learning
Mood
curious
analytical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- education
- scientific research
- every‑making
- personal development
Key Concepts
constructivism
epistemology
brain science
Questions to Reflect On
- How do your expectations shape what you notice?
- What methods can reduce perceptual bias?
A Different Perspective
Our brains can misinterpret ambiguous data, leading to bias.
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