Claude Bernard - Experiments Quotes

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It is impossible to devise an experiment without a preconceived idea; devising an experiment, we said, is putting a question; we never conceive a question without an idea which invites an answer. I consider it, therefore, an absolute principle that experiments must always be devised in view of a preconceived idea, no matter if the idea be not very clear nor very well defined.

Claude Bernard
We must never make experiments to confirm our ideas, but simply to control them.

Claude Bernard
In the philosophic sense, observation shows and experiment teaches.

Claude Bernard
They make poor observations, because they choose among the results of their experiments only what suits their object, neglecting whatever is unrelated to it and carefully setting aside everything which might tend toward the idea they wish to combat.

Claude Bernard
There never are any unsuccessful experiments: they are all successful in their own definite conditions, so that negatives cannot nullify positive results.

Claude Bernard
To experiment is to disturb certain natural phenomena in order to establish their nature or cause. To observe is to examine things as they pass in natural sequence. Whatever means on may use, microscopes, telescopes, one only observes.

Claude Bernard
A theory is merely a scientific idea controlled by experiment.

Claude Bernard
Men sometimes seem to confuse experiment with observation.

Claude Bernard
Observation, then, is what shows facts.; experiment is what teaches about facts and gives experience in relation to anything.

Claude Bernard
An experiment is fundamentally just an observation induced with some object or another.

Claude Bernard
An anticipative idea or an hypothesis is, then, the necessary starting point for all experimental reasoning. Without it, we could not make any investigation at all nor learn anything; we could only pile up sterile observations. If we experiment without a preconceived idea, we should move at random...

Claude Bernard
Men who believe too firmly in their theories, do not believe enough in the theories of others. So... these despisers of their fellows... make experiments only to destroy a theory, instead of to seek the truth.

Claude Bernard
We must not deceive ourselves: morals do not forbid making experiments on one's neighbour or one's self; in everyday life, men do nothing but experiment on one another.

Claude Bernard