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Agree Quote by Stephen Hawking

“Any physical theory is always provisional, in the sense that it is only a hypothesis: you can never prove it. No matter how many times the results of experiments agree with some theory, you can never be sure that the next time the result will not contradict the theory.” quote by Stephen Hawking
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“Any physical theory is always provisional, in the sense that it is only a hypothesis: you can never prove it. No matter how many times the results of experiments agree with some theory, you can never be sure that the next time the result will not contradict the theory.”

Stephen Hawking

About This Quote

Source Speech: Public Lecture, 2010

Scientific theories are temporary models that fit current data but can never be definitively proven.

In simple terms: Theories are provisional hypotheses, not final truths.

Key Takeaway

Accept uncertainty and stay open to new evidence.

Themes

science philosophy uncertainty progress humility

Mood

thoughtful inquisitive

Type

analytical reflective

When to use this quote

  • research planning
  • policy making
  • education
  • media reporting

Key Concepts

epistemology falsifiability tentativeness

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance confidence in current models with openness to change?
  • What evidence would cause you to revise a core belief?
A Different Perspective

Theories may be useful even if later disproved.

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