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 scientific thought.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Mises notes science offers assurance within mental limits, not absolute certainty.
- In plain terms
- Science gives confidence based on current knowledge, not final truth.
- What can you take from it?
- Accept scientific knowledge as provisional, not final.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Should we treat science as temporary knowledge?
- Is absolute certainty possible?
Another view
Some scientific facts are so well tested they feel absolute in practice.
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Scientific criticism has no nobler task than to shatter false beliefs.
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