Thomas Huxley Quotes

Science is simply common sense at its best, that is, rigidly accurate in observation, and merciless to fallacy in logic.

When we examine the opinions of men, we find that nothing is more uncommon than common sense; or, in other words, they lack judgment to discover plain truths or to reject absurdities and palpable contradictions.

The proof of a theory is in its reasoning, not in its sponsorship. The proof of a theory is in its reasoning, not in its sponsorship.

It is clear that I am a person who believes fundamentally in facts, evidence, data, and science, which supports decision-making and allows us to function as a society based on knowledge.

Logic is not satisfied with assertion. It cares nothing for the opinions of the great; nothing for the prejudices of the many, and least of all for the superstitions of the dead.

Feelings are not everything! There is very little absolute truth in life.

Rationality is the recognition of the fact that nothing can alter the truth and nothing can take precedence over that act of perceiving it.

There is absolutely no common sense, it is common non-sense.

Unlike the masses, intellectuals have a taste for rationality and an interest in facts.

Above all, the ability to feel the force of an argument apart from the substance it deals with is the strongest weapon against prejudice.

Science when well-digested is nothing but good sense and reason.

Common-sense appears to be only another name for the thoughtlessness of the unthinking. It is made of the prejudices of childhood, the idiosyncrasies of individual character and the opinion of the newspapers.

It's against reason," said Filby. "What reason?" said the Time Traveller.

God forbid that Truth should be confined to Mathematical Demonstration!

Reason argues the case, but fact may determine the judgment.

Truth has nothing to do with the conclusion, and everything to do with the methodology.

Convictions can best be supported with experience and clear thinking.

Rationalism doesn't require "belief," only observation. The real, measurable world doesn't care what you believe.

What counts is not what sounds plausible, not what we would like to believe, not what one or two witnesses claim, but only what is supported by hard evidence rigorously and skeptically examined. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

Truth does not demand belief. Scientists do not join hands every Sunday, singing, 'Yes, gravity is real! I will have faith!'

GUIL: A scientific approach to the examination of phenomena is a defence against the pure emotion of fear

It is always easy to be logical. It is almost impossible to be logical to the bitter end.

Scientists are human. We have our blind spots and prejudices. Science is a mechanism designed to ferret them out. Problem is we aren't always faithful to the core values of science.

It is a very long and very difficult road from a fact to a conclusion. But it is a million times longer from a theory to a fact.

Through logic and inference we can prove anything. Therefore, logic and inference, in contrast to ordinary daily living experience, are secondary instruments of knowledge. Probably tertiary.