Abstaining Quote by Sam Harris
“Science has long been in the value business. Despite a widespread belief to the contrary, scientific validity is not the result of scientists abstaining from making value judgments; rather, scientific validity is the result of scientists making their best efforts to value principles of reasoning that link their beliefs to reality, through reliable chains of evidence and argument.”
About This Quote
Source Talk: The Value of Science, 2018
Scientific validity depends on rigorous reasoning and evidence, not on avoiding values.
In simple terms: Science values reasoning, not value‑free.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize evidence‑based reasoning.
Themes
science
reasoning
objectivity
Mood
analytical
educational
Type
academic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- research design
- policy making
- education curricula
Key Concepts
epistemology
methodology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you separate bias from data?
- What principles guard scientific truth?
A Different Perspective
Values can bias interpretation.
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