"It is an acknowledged truth in philosophy that a just theory will always be confirmed by experiment"
- Thomas Malthus
About this Quote
This quote by Thomas Malthus suggests that a legitimate philosophical theory can be proven through experimentation. He is indicating that if a theory is based on sound logic and reasoning, it can be tested and verified through useful experiments. This concept is based upon the concept of empiricism, which states that knowledge is acquired through observation and experience. Malthus is recommending that a just theory, or one that is based on valid principles, will be supported by the results of experiments. This quote highlights the value of experimentation in the field of philosophy, as it can be utilized to confirm the validity of a theory. It likewise recommends that theories must be based on sound logic and thinking, as they will be supported by the outcomes of experiments.
"I think philosophers can do things akin to theoretical scientists, in that, having read about empirical data, they too can think of what hypotheses and theories might account for that data. So there's a continuity between philosophy and science in that way"
"What I mean by photographing as a participant rather than observer is that I'm not only involved directly with some of the activities that I photograph, such as mountain climbing, but even when I'm not I have the philosophy that my mind and body are part of the natural world"
