Abandon Quote by William Ian Beardmore Beveridge
“Hypothesis is a toll which can cause trouble if not used properly. We must be ready to abandon our hypothesis as soon as it is shown to be inconsistent with the facts.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Art of Scientific Thought, 1945
A hypothesis guides inquiry but must be discarded when evidence contradicts it.
In simple terms: Hypotheses need evidence to stay valid.
Key Takeaway
Drop ideas that don’t match facts.
Themes
science
critical thinking
methodology
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- research design
- policy analysis
- medical diagnosis
Key Concepts
falsifiability
epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you decide when a hypothesis is no longer useful?
- What safeguards prevent premature abandonment?
A Different Perspective
A hypothesis can still be useful as a provisional tool.
![“[Science] is not perfect. It can be misused. It is only a tool. But it is by far the best tool we have, self-correcting, ongoing, applicable to everything. It has two rules. First: there are no sacred truths; all assumptions must be critically examined; arguments from authority are worthless…” quote by Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0b3/carl-sagan-160_argument_science-is-not-perfect-it-can-be-misused_2558360.jpg)
