"Observation is a passive science, experimentation an active science"
- Claude Bernard
About this Quote
This quote by Claude Bernard is a reflection on the differences between observation and experimentation. Observation is a passive science, implying that it involves the collection of information with no disturbance from the observer. This information can then be used to reason about the subject being observed. On the other hand, experimentation is an active science, indicating that the observer is actively controling the environment in order to test a hypothesis. This manipulation of the environment enables the observer to draw more concrete conclusions about the subject being studied. In conclusion, observation and experimentation are two distinct scientific techniques that can be used to gain knowledge about the world around us.
"But in Christianity, by contrast, the freedom of the children of God was also freedom from all important worldly interests, from all art and science, etc"
"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"
