--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This general tendency to eliminate, by…" description: "\"This general tendency to eliminate, by means of unverifiable speculations, the limits of the categories nature presents to us is the inheritance of bio..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b2/w-r-thompson-68473_argument_this-general-tendency-to-eliminate-by-me_744545.jpg" --- # This general tendency to eliminate, by means of… ![“This general tendency to eliminate, by means of unverifiable speculations, the limits of the categories nature presents to us is the inheritance of biology from The Origin of Species. To establish the continuity required by theory, historical arguments are invoked, even though historical evidence…” quote by W. R. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b2/w-r-thompson-68473_argument_this-general-tendency-to-eliminate-by-me_744545.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b2/w-r-thompson-68473_argument_this-general-tendency-to-eliminate-by-me_744545.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b2/w-r-thompson-68473_argument_this-general-tendency-to-eliminate-by-me_744545.jpg) > “This general tendency to eliminate, by means of unverifiable speculations, the limits of the categories nature presents to us is the inheritance of biology from The Origin of Species. To establish the continuity required by theory, historical arguments are invoked, even though historical evidence is lacking. Thus are engendered those fragile towers of hypothesis based on hypothesis, where fact and fiction intermingle in an inextricable confusion.” W. R. Thompson ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Highlights how speculative reasoning can blur fact and fiction, creating fragile hypotheses lacking solid evidence. **In simple terms:** Speculation can obscure truth and create weak theories. Key Takeaway Critically evaluate evidence before forming conclusions. Themes science philosophy epistemology skepticism Mood analytical critical Type philosophical skeptical When to use this quote - academic research - policy making - media reporting - public discourse Key Concepts methodology hypothesis testing historical analysis Questions to Reflect On - How do you distinguish robust evidence from speculation? - What safeguards can prevent fragile theories from dominating? A Different Perspective Overreliance on speculation can mislead and erode knowledge. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Argument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argument/) [Biology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/biology/) [Confusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confusion/) [Continuity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/continuity/) [Evolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evolution/) [Fact and fiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fact-and-fiction/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Fiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fiction/) [Fragile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fragile/) [Historical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/historical/) [Inheritance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inheritance/) [Limits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/limits/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Origin of species](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/origin-of-species/) [Speculation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speculation/) ## Related quotes > [It is wiser, I believe, to arrive at theory by way of evidence rather than the other way around… It is more rewarding, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-tuchman/it-is-wiser-i-believe-to-arrive-at-theory-by-way-of-evidence-rather/) [Barbara Tuchman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-tuchman/) > [I like to blur the line between fact and fiction, but not to condescend to the reader by enmeshing her/him into some sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleksandar-hemon/i-like-to-blur-the-line-between-fact-and-fiction-but-not-to/) [Aleksandar Hemon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleksandar-hemon/) > [There aren't really rules for painting, but there’s certain facts and fictions about painting. 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Thompson > [I am not satisfied that Darwin proved his point or that his influence in scientific and public thinking has been beneficial ... the success…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-r-thompson/i-am-not-satisfied-that-darwin-proved-his-point-or-that-his-influence/) W. R. Thompson > [This situation, where men rally to the defense of a doctrine they are unable to define scientifically, much less demonstrate with scientific rigor, attempting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-r-thompson/this-situation-where-men-rally-to-the-defense-of-a-doctrine-they-are/) W. R. Thompson Explore all 4 W. R. 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