15th February 2008
“Science is organized common sense where many a beautiful theory was killed by an ugly fact.”
Thomas Huxley1825 – 1895
“Science is organized common sense where many a beautiful theory was killed by an ugly fact.”
Thomas Huxley1825 – 1895
February 15th, 2008 at 18:03
Good quote. I like it very much for the succinct way in which Huxley captures the character of scientific reasoning. No matter how strong the fortifications around any theory are, if there is a flaw it will surely be exposed by the erosive effects of scientific competition. In this way very much like the mechanism of evolution itself. I assume Huxley, in making statements like this, was also intentionally drawing a contrast with faith-based reasoning. I like to think so. There does not seem to be any ugly fact that can kill a faith based idea. Once again immune to and opposed to reason.