A scientifically unimportant discovery is one which, however true and however interesting for other reasons, has no consequences … - Talcott Parsons

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Quote of the day

Much of this world's wisdom is still acquired by necromancy,--by consulting the oracular dead.

Talcott Parsons

A scientifically unimportant discovery is one which, however true and however interesting for other reasons, has no consequences for a system of theory with which scientists in that field are concerned.

Discovery, Interesting, Reasons, Science, Theory

Same Author Quotes

Theory not only formulates what we know but also tells us what we want to know, that is, the questions to which an answer is needed.

Answers, Know, Tells, Theory, Want

If capitalism begins as the practical idealism of the aspiring bourgeoisie, it ends. . . as an orgy of materialism.

Bourgeoisie, Ends, Idealism, Materialism

Sociology should. . . be thought of as a science of action-of the ultimate common value element in its relations to the other elements of action.

Action, Common, Element, Elements, Science

If observed facts of undoubted accuracy will not fit any of the alternatives it leaves open, the system itself is in need of reconstruction.

Accuracy, Alternatives, Facts, Needs, System, Undoubted

If there are four equations and only three variables, and no one of the equations is derivable from the others by algebraic manipulation then there is another variable missing.

Algebraic, Manipulation, Missing, Three, Variable, Variables

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The difference between listening and pretending to listen, I discovered, is enormous. One is fluid, the other is rigid. One is alive, the other is stuffed. Eventually, I found a radical way of thinking about listening. Real listening is a willingness to let the other person change you. When I’m willing to let them change me, something happens between us that’s more interesting than a pair of dueling monologues.

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Augustus William Hare

Much of this world's wisdom is still acquired by necromancy,--by consulting the oracular dead.

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Kiki Smith

My support system is simple - people and time. The miracle of other people in your life.

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Karen Chance

I couldn’t see Pritkin’s face very well, just a pale blur against the shadows, but he didn’t sound happy. Some people thought he had only one mode. . . pissed off. In reality, he had plenty of them. Over the past few weeks, I’d learned to tell the difference between real pissed off, impatient pissed off and scared pissed off. I suspected that this was the last kind. If so, that made two of us.

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Marilyn Manson

When you want to die, you at least have a goal. You're aiming for something. It's not a good goal, but at least you want something. And you've got anger and fear, but at least you're feeling something.

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