Quote: every generalization supposes a belief in the unity and simplicity of Nature

Quotation

The Unity of Nature.--Let us first of all observe that every generalisation supposes in a certain measure a belief in the unity and simplicity of Nature. ... those who do not believe that natural laws must be simple, are still often obliged to act as if they did believe it. They cannot entirely dispense with this necessity without making all generalisation, and therefore all science, impossible. It is clear that any fact can be generalised in an infinite number of ways, and it is a question of choice. The choice can only be guided by considerations of simplicity.   Google-1   Google-2

Published before 1923

Additional Titles

Quote: any fact can be generalized in an infinite number of ways. The choice can only be guided by considerations of simplicity

Related Topics

Topic: law of nature (28 items)
Group: philosophy of science   (10 topics, 377 quotes)