On Theories VI (1950-1959)

”[…] the chief reason in favor of any theory on the principles of mathematics must always be inductive, i.e., it must lie in the fact that the theory in question enables us to deduce ordinary mathematics. In mathematics, the greatest degree of self-evidence is usually not to be found quite at the beginning, but at some later point; hence the early deductions, until they reach this point, give reasons rather from them, than for believing the premises because true consequences follow from them, than for believing the consequences because they follow from the premises.” (Alfred N Whitehead, “Principia Mathematica”, 1950)

“People prefer theory to practice because it involves them in no more real responsibility than a game of checkers, while it permits them to feel they're doing something serious and important.” (Leo Stein, “Journey into the Self”, 1950)

“The scientist who discovers a theory is usually guided to his discovery by guesses; he cannot name a method by means of which he found the theory and can only say that it appeared plausible to him, that he had the right hunch or that he saw intuitively which assumption would fit the facts.” (Hans Reichenbach, “The Rise of Scientific Philosophy”, 1951)

”Without facts we have no science. Facts are to the scientist what words are to the poet. The scientist has a love of facts, even isolated facts, similar to a poet’s love of words. But a collection of facts is not a science any more than a dictionary is poetry. Around his facts the scientist weaves a logical pattern or theory which gives the facts meaning, order and significance.” (Isidor Isaac Rabi, “Faith in Science”, Atlantic Monthly , Vol. 187, 1951)

“ […] one of the main functions of an analogy or model is to suggest extensions of the theory by considering extensions of the analogy, since more is known about the analogy than is known about the subject matter of the theory itself [...]" (Mary B Hesse, “Operational Definition and Analogy in Physical Theories”, British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 2 (8), 1952) 

“Scarcely any attempt is entirely a failure; scarcely any theory, the result of steady thought, is altogether false; no tempting form of Error is without some latent charm derived from Truth.” (William Whewell, “Lectures on the History of Moral Philosophy in England”, 1852)

“The true aim of science is to discover a simple theory which is necessary and sufficient to cover the facts, when they have been purified of traditional prejudices.” (Lancelot L Whyte, “Accent on Form”, 1954)

“Science does not begin with facts; one of its tasks is to uncover the facts by removing misconceptions.” (Lancelot L Whyte, “Accent on Form”, 1954) 

“When we meet a fact which contradicts a prevailing theory, we must accept the fact and abandon the theory, even when the theory is supported by great names and generally accepted.” (Claude Bernard, “An Introduction to the Study of Experimental Medicine”, 1957)

“The confidence placed in physical theory owes much to its possessing the same kind of excellence from which pure geometry and pure mathematics in general derive their interest, and for the sake of which they are cultivated.” (Michael Polanyi, “Personal Knowledge”, 1958)