William Whewell Quotes about Science

The hypotheses we accept ought to explain phenomena which we have observed. But they ought to do more than this: our hypotheses ought to foretell phenomena which have not yet been observed.

The hypotheses we accept ought to explain phenomena which we have observed. But they ought to do more than this: our hypotheses ought to foretell phenomena which have not yet been observed.

William Whewell

Science, Accepting, Hypothesis

William Whewell (1968). “Theory of Scientific Method”, p.151, Hackett Publishing

In order that the facts obtained by observation and experiment may be capable of being used in furtherance of our exact and solid knowledge, they must be apprehended and analysed according to some Conceptions which, applied for this purpose, give distinct and definite results, such as can be steadily taken hold of and reasoned from.

William Whewell

Taken, Knowledge, Science

William Whewell (1858). “Novum Organon Renovatum”, p.63

Gold and iron at the present day, as in ancient times, are the rulers of the world; and the great events in the world of mineral art are not the discovery of new substances, but of new and rich localities of old ones.

William Whewell

Art, Science, Discovery

William Whewell (1856). “Lectures on the Progress of Arts and Science, Resulting from the Great Exhibition in London ...”, p.22

Astronomy is ... the only progressive Science which the ancient world produced.

William Whewell

Science, World, Astronomy

William Whewell (1847). “History of the Inductive Sciences: I. The Greek school philosophy, with reference to physical science. II. The physical sciences in ancient Greece. III. Greek astronomy. IV. Physical science in the middle ages. V. Formal astronomy after the stationary period”, p.96

The hypotheses which we accept ought to explain phenomena which we have observed. But they ought to do more than this; our hypotheses ought to foretell phenomena which have not yet been observed; ... because if the rule prevails, it includes all cases; and will determine them all, if we can only calculate its real consequences. Hence it will predict the results of new combinations, as well as explain the appearances which have occurred in old ones. And that it does this with certainty and correctness, is one mode in which the hypothesis is to be verified as right and useful.

William Whewell

Real, Acceptance, Science

...the question undoubtedly is, or soon will be, not whether or no we shall employ notation in chemistry, but whether we shall use a bad and incongruous, or a consistent and regular notation.

William Whewell

Science, Consistency, Use

To discover the laws of operative power in material productions, whether formed by man or brought into being by Nature herself, is the work of a science, and is indeed what we more especially term Science.

William Whewell

Science, Men, Law

William Whewell (1856). “Lectures on the Progress of Arts and Science, Resulting from the Great Exhibition in London ...”, p.6

But with regard to the material world, we can at least go so far as this;-we can perceive that events are brought about, not by insulated interpositions of Divine power, exerted in each particular ease, but by the establishment of general laws.

William Whewell

Science, Law, Events