Enough Quote by William James
“A good hypothesis in science must have other properties than those of the phenomenon it is immediately invoked to explain, otherwise it is not prolific enough.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Principles of Psychology by William James, 1890
A useful scientific hypothesis must explain more than just the immediate phenomenon, offering broader explanatory power.
In simple terms: A hypothesis should go beyond the specific case it explains.
Key Takeaway
Seek broader explanatory scope.
Themes
science
philosophy
methodology
Mood
analytical
curious
Type
academic
theoretical
When to use this quote
- research design
- theory building
- academic teaching
- policy analysis
Key Concepts
hypothesis testing
explanatory power
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you test a hypothesis’s broader relevance?
- What limits arise when extending explanations?
A Different Perspective
A narrow hypothesis may still be valuable in specialized contexts.
