"The progress of science is strewn, like an ancient desert trail, with the bleached skeleton of discarded theories which once seemed to possess eternal life"

Arthur Koestler's quote elegantly catches the vibrant and frequently turbulent nature of clinical development. By using the imagery of "an ancient desert path" scattered with "the bleached skeleton of discarded theories", Koestler conveys the idea that clinical development is not a linear or neat process. Instead, it is marked by a series of changes and paradigm shifts, each changing what when appeared as immutable realities with brand-new understandings.

The metaphor of a desert trail suggests a journey that is difficult and sometimes desolate, yet necessary. The "bleached skeletons" signify the theories and concepts that were when dynamic and foundational. These would have given instructions and function for a time however ultimately proved to be inadequate and were left. The procedure of scientific query can be ruthless, as it includes rigid examination and screening of ideas, resulting in the eventual discarding of those that do not hold up under assessment, regardless of how appealing they as soon as appeared.

Koestler's referral to discarded theories that "once seemed to possess immortality" highlights the intrinsic uncertainty within the scientific endeavor. It reflects the notion that scientific knowledge is provisional. Theories can appear robust and all-inclusive until new proof or viewpoints present themselves. This is a central quality of science: its self-correcting nature, where older concepts give way to much better explanations or more thorough frameworks of understanding.

The quote also highlights a necessary humility in the clinical approach. It reminds scientists to remain open-minded and happy to adjust, acknowledging that what is considered reality today might one day join the "skeletons" on Koestler's metaphorical desert path. Koestler succinctly captures the essence of clinical pursuit as a ruthless, iterative procedure, driven by discovery and modification, highlighting both its challenges and its charm.