more on this theme
|
more from this thinker
Single Idea 22658
[filed under theme 14. Science / A. Basis of Science / 6. Falsification
]
Full Idea
Each tester of the truth of a theory …acts as if it were true, and expects the result to disappoint him if his assumption is false. The longer disappointment is delayed, the stronger grows his faith in his theory.
Gist of Idea
Experimenters assume the theory is true, and stick to it as long as result don't disappoint
Source
William James (The Sentiment of Rationality [1882], p.42)
Book Ref
James,William: 'Selected Writings of William James', ed/tr. Bird,Graham [Everyman 1995], p.42
A Reaction
This is almost exactly Popper's falsificationist proposal for science, which interestingly shows the close relationship of his view to pragmatism. Believe it as long as it is still working.
The
18 ideas
from 'The Sentiment of Rationality'
|
22643
|
It seems that we feel rational when we detect no irrationality
[James]
|
|
22645
|
Understanding by means of causes is useless if they are not reduced to a minimum number
[James]
|
|
22644
|
Our greatest pleasure is the economy of reducing chaotic facts to one single fact
[James]
|
|
22646
|
We have a passion for knowing the parts of something, rather than the whole
[James]
|
|
22647
|
A complete system is just a classification of the whole world's ingredients
[James]
|
|
22648
|
A single explanation must have a single point of view
[James]
|
|
22649
|
Classification can only ever be for a particular purpose
[James]
|
|
22650
|
How can the ground of rationality be itself rational?
[James]
|
|
22651
|
Dogs' curiosity only concerns what will happen next
[James]
|
|
22652
|
The mind has evolved entirely for practical interests, seen in our reflex actions
[James]
|
|
22653
|
Early Christianity says God recognises the neglected weak and tender impulses
[James]
|
|
22654
|
We can't know if the laws of nature are stable, but we must postulate it or assume it
[James]
|
|
22656
|
Trying to assess probabilities by mere calculation is absurd and impossible
[James]
|
|
22655
|
Scientific genius extracts more than other people from the same evidence
[James]
|
|
22657
|
All good philosophers start from a dumb conviction about which truths can be revealed
[James]
|
|
22658
|
Experimenters assume the theory is true, and stick to it as long as result don't disappoint
[James]
|
|
22659
|
It is wisdom to believe what you desire, because belief is needed to achieve it
[James]
|
|
22660
|
Evolution suggests prevailing or survival as a new criterion of right and wrong
[James]
|