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Single Idea 22655

[from 'The Sentiment of Rationality' by William James, in 14. Science / A. Basis of Science / 1. Observation ]

Full Idea

What is the use of being a genius, unless with the same scientific evidence as other men, one can reach more truth than they?

Gist of Idea

Scientific genius extracts more than other people from the same evidence

Source

William James (The Sentiment of Rationality [1882], p.40)

Book Reference

James,William: 'Selected Writings of William James', ed/tr. Bird,Graham [Everyman 1995], p.40


A Reaction

This is aimed at Clifford's famous principle. He isn't actually contraverting the principle, but it is a nice point about evidence. Simple empiricists think detectives only have to stare at the evidence and the solution creates itself.

Related Idea

Idea 6587 It is always wrong to believe things on insufficient evidence [Clifford]