Top 8 Quotes by Harold Jeffreys

What the use of P [the significance level] implies, therefore, is that a hypothesis that may be true may be rejected because it has not predicted observable results that have not occurred.

What the use of P [the significance level] implies, therefore, is that a hypothesis that may be true may be rejected because it has not predicted observable results that have not occurred.

Harold Jeffreys

Science, Use, Levels

The real difficulty about volcanism is not to see how it can start, but how it can stop.

Harold Jeffreys

Real, Difficulty

Variation must be taken as random until there is positive evidence to the contrary.

Harold Jeffreys

Taken, Variation, Evidence

There are some current 'theories' that, when divested of begged questions, reduce to the non-controversial statement, 'Here are some facts and there may be some relation between them.'

Harold Jeffreys

May, Facts, Controversial

Harold Jeffreys (1998). “The Theory of Probability”, p.419, OUP Oxford

An observation, strictly, is only a sensation. Nobody means that we should reject everything but sensations. But as soon as we go beyond sensations we are making inferences.

Harold Jeffreys

Mean, Inference, Should

Harold Jeffreys (1998). “The Theory of Probability”, p.412, OUP Oxford

A formal and consistent theory of inductive processes cannot represent the operation of every human mind in detail; it will represent an ideal mind, but it will help the actual mind to approximate that ideal.

Harold Jeffreys

Mind, Details, Helping

Harold Jeffreys (1998). “The Theory of Probability”, p.421, OUP Oxford

All suggested accounts of the origin of the solar system are subject to serious objections. The conclusion in the present state of the subject would be that the system cannot exist.

Harold Jeffreys

Would Be, Serious, States