"The more important the subject and the closer it cuts to the bone of our hopes and needs, the more we are likely to err in establishing a framework for analysis"
- Stephen Jay Gould
About this Quote
This quote by Stephen Jay Gould suggests that when a subject is especially crucial to us, we are more likely to make mistakes in our analysis of it. This is because the topic is so near to our hopes and needs that we might be biased in our approach. We might be so purchased the result that we are unable to objectively evaluate the circumstance. This can lead to errors in our analysis, as we may be too focused on our own desires and not on the facts. Gould's quote is a tip to be conscious of our own predispositions and to pursue neutrality when examining important subjects.
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