Certainty Quote by William Stanley Jevons
“Many persons entertain a prejudice against mathematical language, arising out of a confusion between the ideas of a mathematical science and an exact science. ...in reality, there is no such thing as an exact science.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Theory of Political Economy, 1871
People often confuse mathematical rigor with absolute certainty, leading to prejudice against mathematical language.
In simple terms: Math is seen as too exact, but science is never truly exact.
Recognize the limits of precision in scientific claims.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- science communication
- education
- public policy
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does misunderstanding math affect public trust?
- What can improve communication of scientific uncertainty?
Mathematical models can still be misapplied despite their precision.