The great tragedy of science -- the slaying of a beautiful hypothesis by an ugly fact.

Summary

This quote, often attributed to the English biologist Thomas Huxley, captures the essence of scientific discovery. It reflects the unfortunate reality that even the most brilliant and elegant theories can be rejected or disproven when faced with contradictory evidence or observations. It emphasizes the importance of objectivity and adherence to empirical evidence in the pursuit of scientific knowledge. The quote conveys the bittersweet nature of scientific progress, as cherished hypotheses may be abandoned in favor of the sometimes harsh realities of the natural world.

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