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About this quote

What does it mean?
Mises believes the main goal of science is to break down false beliefs.
In plain terms
Science should focus on proving wrong ideas wrong.
What can you take from it?
Use science to destroy false beliefs.

Where it applies

  • scientific education
  • debates
  • learning

Putting it to work

  • challenge assumptions
  • prioritize evidence

Questions to consider

  • Is destroying error more important than building truth?
  • How do we know a belief is false?

Another view

Science also builds new knowledge, not just breaks old ideas.

More from Ludwig von Mises

  1. 'This time, it's different' are the four most expensive words in the English Language.

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  2. Science does not give us absolute and final certainty. It only gives us assurance within the limits of our mental abilities and the prevailing state of scienti…

    Permalink to quote #27
  3. Government is the only institution that can take a perfectly good piece of paper, print some noble words on it, and make it perfectly worthless.

    Permalink to quote #24

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