When the number of factors coming into play in a phenomenological complex is too large, scientific method in most cases fails us. One need only think of the weather, in which case prediction even for a few days ahead is impossible. Nevertheless no one doubts that we are confronted with a causal connection whose causal components are in the main known to us. Occurrences in this domain are beyond the reach of exact prediction because of the variety of factors in operation, not because of any lack of order in nature.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Scientific methods struggle when too many variables interact, as seen in weather prediction, even though causal connections exist.
- In plain terms
- Too many factors make exact prediction hard, but order still exists in nature.
- What can you take from it?
- Complex systems limit prediction despite known causes.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When does complexity override order?
- How do we study unpredictable systems?
Another view
It assumes causal components are known, which is not always true.
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