Quotation
Quote by Imre Lakatos
Conjectures ignore dislike and suspicion, but they cannot ignore counterexamples.
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Understanding this quote
A conjecture may be proposed even when people dislike it or doubt it. But it cannot survive a clear counterexample: one case that conflicts with the claim can show that the conjecture is false or needs revision. The quote distinguishes personal resistance from evidence that directly challenges an idea.
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About this quotation
- Source
- Cornell University Mathematics Department-hosted copy of Imre Lakatos, “Proofs and Refutations”
- Format
- Official Statement
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