"One finds the truth by making a hypothesis and comparing observations with the hypothesis"

Human understanding advances through a process of inquiry and examination, rather than passive acceptance. The act of hypothesizing is an essential step in the journey toward knowledge: it involves constructing a tentative explanation or prediction about how something works or what is true. This hypothesis serves as a guide, providing a framework that can be tested against experience or experimental data. Instead of simply accumulating observations, this process directs the observer to look for specific patterns, relationships, or phenomena that either support or contradict the hypothesis.

The scientific method is built upon this principle; at its heart is the interplay between imagination and evidence. The creation of a hypothesis requires imagination and insight, an ability to propose possible explanations that stretch beyond what has already been seen or understood. Once a hypothesis is formulated, however, the critical phase begins: observation and comparison. Each observation becomes a test. Does the data align with what the hypothesis predicts? Are there anomalies, discrepancies, or confirmations? In this systematic back-and-forth, the hypothesis is refined, rejected, or tentatively accepted.

Truth is not handed to us fully formed; it emerges from this dialogue between theory and reality. By pitting hypothesis against observation, we ensure that our beliefs are not shaped solely by tradition, authority, or wishful thinking. Instead, they become anchored in the realities of the world, as revealed through careful investigation. This mindset also encourages humility, as every hypothesis is subject to possible disproof and revision based on new evidence.

In practical terms, this approach fosters progress across disciplines. In science, technology, and even philosophy, advances occur when individuals dare to speculate and then rigorously test their ideas. The process is continuous, each truth found is provisional, resting on the foundation of tested and compared ideas, always open to deeper examination as methods and understanding develop further.