Evidence Quotes
The learned ignore the evidence of their senses to preserve the coherence of the ideas of their imagination.
"The learned ignore the evidence of their senses to preserve the coherence of the ideas of their imagination."— Adam Smith
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Meaning of this quote
Scholars can discount observation to protect a coherent theoretical picture.
Key takeaway:
Revise a model when evidence conflicts with it.
Origin of the quote
Essays on Philosophical Subjects (1795), The History of Astronomy
Who actually said this?
Condenses a longer sentence in The History of Astronomy about scholars giving up sensory evidence to preserve imagined coherence.
