No matter how many instances of white swans we may have observed, this does not justify the conclusion that all swans are white.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Popper says observing many white swans does not prove all swans are white.
- In plain terms
- Seeing many cases does not prove a rule.
- What can you take from it?
- Examples do not prove universal truths.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What proves your claim?
- Could one black swan change it?
Another view
Patterns help; but they are never absolute proof.
More from Karl Popper
True ignorance is not the absence of knowledge, but the refusal to acquire it.
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