Paul Feyerabend

Philosopher Austrian-American 1924 – 1994

Challenged scientific rationalism; argued for epistemological anarchism and pluralism.

369 quotes

"Science is not a collection of laws, a catalogue of unrelated items, but is an interpretation of nature."
Science
"The only principle that does not inhibit progress is: anything goes."
Freedom
"Knowledge is a human activity, and the most human of all."
Knowledge
"Facts are not independent of interpretation."
Truth
"Reason is just one instrument among many."
Wisdom
"There is no such thing as an unmotivated observer."
Philosophy
"The greatest discoveries were made by breaking the rules."
Creativity
"Consistency and obedience are the last refuges of the unimaginative."
Imagination
"We can be free only to the extent that others are free."
Freedom
"Education should increase our options, not narrow them."
Education
"Theories cannot be justified by appeal to facts."
Science
"The idea of a fixed method is both pernicious and stifling."
Change
"Anything that can be done can be undone."
Time
"Progress is possible only when we are willing to question everything."
Motivation
"The world is not made of facts and laws alone."
Philosophy
"One cannot be a good Christian and a good scientist."
Faith
"Success requires breaking with tradition."
Success
"Knowledge without imagination is empty."
Imagination
"We must learn to think differently."
Change
"Truth is what serves our purposes."
Truth
"The best way to discover limits is to cross them."
Courage
"Art and science are not separate domains."
Art
"Change is the only constant in human affairs."
Change
"We are all prisoners of our perspective."
Philosophy
"To know something is to have power over it."
Knowledge
"Democracy requires the freedom to dissent."
Politics
"The past does not determine the future."
Time
"Happiness comes from pursuing what interests us."
Happiness
"We create reality through our interpretations."
Creativity
"Courage means acting despite uncertainty."
Courage