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Ideas for 'fragments/reports', 'Meditations' and 'The Periodic Table'

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14. Science / A. Basis of Science / 4. Prediction
If a theory can be fudged, so can observations [Scerri]
     Full Idea: A theorist may have designed his theory to fit the facts, but is it not equally possible for observers to be influenced by a theory in their report of experimental facts?
     From: Eric R. Scerri (The Periodic Table [2007], 05 'Power')
     A reaction: This is in reply to Lipton's claim that prediction is better than accommodation because of the 'fudging' problem. The reply is that you might fudge to achieve a prediction. If it was correct, that wouldn't avoid the charge of fudging.