A theory that seems to explain everything is just as good at explaining nothing. [12]
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Hitchens warns that theories claiming to explain all phenomena often explain none meaningfully. It highlights the danger of overly broad or unfalsifiable explanations.
- In plain terms
- A theory that explains everything actually explains nothing useful.
- What can you take from it?
- Good theories must be specific and falsifiable.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What makes a theory strong?
- Can one idea explain all?
Another view
It ignores useful holistic models.
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[I am persuaded by] the materialist conception of history. [11]
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