The catastrophist constructs theories, the uniformitarian demolishes them. (William Whewell)

The catastrophist constructs theories, the uniformitarian demolishes them.

William Whewell

More William Whewell quotes

It is a test of true theories not only to account for but to predict phenomena. View quote
William Whewell
We cannot observe external things without some degree of Thought; nor can we reflect upon our Thoughts, without being influenced in the course of our reflection by the Things which we have observed. View quote
William Whewell
According to the technical language of old writers, a thing and its qualities are described as subject and attributes; and thus a man's faculties and acts are attributes of which he is the subject. The mind is the subject in which ideas inhere. Moreover, the man's faculties and acts are employed upon external objects; and from objects all his sensations arise. Hence the part of a man's knowledge which belongs to his own mind, is subjective: that which flows in upon him from the world external to him, is objective. View quote
William Whewell
Our assent to the hypothesis implies that it is held to be true of all particular instances. That these cases belong to past or to future times, that they have or have not already occurred, makes no difference in the applicability of the rule to them. Because the rule prevails, it includes all cases. View quote
William Whewell
In art, truth is a means to an end; in science, it is the only end. View quote
William Whewell