Air Quote by William James
“The suspicion is in the air nowadays that the superiority of one of our formulas to another may not consist so much in its literal 'objectivity,' as in subjective qualities like its usefulness, its 'elegance,' or its congruity with our residual beliefs”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Will to Believe, 1896
Scientific value often rests on subjective qualities like usefulness, elegance, and alignment with existing beliefs, not just objectivity.
In simple terms: Science is guided by taste and belief.
Consider elegance and relevance.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- research design
- technology development
- policy making
- education
- product design
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What criteria should guide scientific judgment?
- How do personal beliefs shape research?
Subjectivity can bias conclusions and limit objectivity.