--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ...a useful coorective to the…" description: "\"“...a useful coorective to the triumphalism of some scientists. For example, Maddox went out of his way to emphasise the provisional nature of much phy..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/861/peter-watson-50424_big-bang_a-useful-coorective-to-the-triumphalism_515511.jpg" --- # ...a useful coorective to the triumphalism of some… ![“...a useful coorective to the triumphalism of some scientists. For example, Maddox went out of his way to emphasise the provisional nature of much physics - he referred to black holes as 'putative' only, to the search for theories of everything as 'the embodiment of a belief, even a hope' and…” quote by Peter Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/861/peter-watson-50424_big-bang_a-useful-coorective-to-the-triumphalism_515511.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/861/peter-watson-50424_big-bang_a-useful-coorective-to-the-triumphalism_515511.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/861/peter-watson-50424_big-bang_a-useful-coorective-to-the-triumphalism_515511.jpg) > ““...a useful coorective to the triumphalism of some scientists. For example, Maddox went out of his way to emphasise the provisional nature of much physics - he referred to black holes as 'putative' only, to the search for theories of everything as 'the embodiment of a belief, even a hope' and stated that the reason why the quantum gravity project is 'becalmed' right now is because 'the problem to be solved is not yet fully understood' and that the idea that the universe began with a Big Bang 'will be found to be false'.”” [Peter Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-watson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Science progresses when humility tempers overconfidence, reminding us that theories are provisional and not final truths. **In simple terms:** Science needs humility and provisional thinking. Key Takeaway Embrace uncertainty in scientific inquiry. Themes humility science provisional truth skepticism Mood thoughtful critical Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - research funding decisions - public communication of science - education curricula - policy making Key Concepts philosophy of science epistemology theory development Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance humility with bold innovation? - When should provisional ideas become accepted facts? 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He said that history was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-watson/he-adored-talking-about-the-rich-but-his-real-wealth-was-literary-he/) [Peter Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-watson/) > [“...for example, if Freud is wrong, as i and many others believe, where does that leave any number of novels and virtually the entire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-watson/for-example-if-freud-is-wrong-as-i-and-many-others-believe-where-does/) [Peter Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-watson/) > [“The discipline of history is particularly important in this context because while science has had a direct impact on how historians write, and what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-watson/the-discipline-of-history-is-particularly-important-in-this-context/) [Peter Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-watson/) > [“Live with the consequences of your deeds and enjoy the warmth they create. 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