Christopher Hampton Quotes

Falsifiability for a theory is great, but a theory can still be respectable even if it is not falsifiable, as long as it is verifiable.

A theory has only the alternative of being right or wrong. A model has a third possibility: it may be right, but irrelevant.

I grow daily to honor facts more and more, and theory less and less.

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.

Science does not limit itself merely to what is currently verifiable. But it is interested in questions that are potentially verifiable (or, rather, falsifiable).

It is an acknowledged truth in philosophy that a just theory will always be confirmed by experiment.

Science has authority, not because of white coats, or titles, but because of precision and transparency: you explain your theory, set out your evidence, and reference the studies that support your case.

Have common sense and stick to the point.

Beauty is the first test: there is no permanent place in the world for ugly mathematics.

A theory must be tempered with reality.

Well, logos is science or reason, something that helps us to function practically and effectively in the world, and it must therefore be closely in tune and reflect accurately the realities of the world around us.

I love science. I hate supposition, superstition, exaggeration and falsified data. Show me the research, show me the results, show me the conclusions - and then show me some qualified peer reviews of all that.

Truth in science is always determined from observational facts.

Two points that are very important points to remember and ask: Is it real and does it work?

In so far as a scientific statement speaks about reality, it must be falsifiable; and in so far as it is not falsifiable, it does not speak about reality.

It is not altogether wrong to say that there is no such thing as a bad photograph - only less interesting, less relevant, less mysterious ones.

There is no sense in making statements that will not continue to be true after they are made.

More than trends, consumers need functionality. Everything needs an element of fashion, but that's more like a spice.

Logic is the technique by which we add conviction to truth.

The real questions are: Does it solve a problem? Is it serviceable? How is it going to look in ten years?

Subjectivism is not an absolute principle; it is a necessary but not sufficient condition for sound methodology.

The fundamental laws of physics do not describe true facts about reality. Rendered as descriptions of facts, they are false; amended to be true, they lose their explanatory force.

Philosophy is common sense with big words.

The architect should strive continually to simplify; the ensemble of the rooms should then be carefully considered that comfort and utility may go hand in hand with beauty.

Far too many scientists, including my good friend Richard Dawkins, present science as the truth and present it as factually correct. And actually, of course, that clearly isn't true.