Did Einstein really say If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts". This sounds fanciful.?

Answer 1

This is attributed to Einstein but there is no definitive source. It seems that this might be a case of an unknown originator seeking to practice what is preached. So I doubt this to have been said by Einstein, or if he did he was joking.

Answer 2

Your reading this out of context! A theory is based on evidence, which may or may not be refutable! When no evidence seems to fit the theory - you go out and look for new evidence that does. That in itself is the very challange of science. If ALL the evidence supports the theory beyond a reasonable doubt, then the theory itself becomes a Fact. If oppossing evidence exists, then a theory will remain simply a theory!

Take Gravity for instance. Many take it as a fact, because we don't unwillingly fly off the surface of the earth - and because Apples do not fall upwards from the tree. The basic Theory of gravity states all objects have a force bringing them together. Larger more dense objects have a stronger pull than smaller less dense objects. Because confirming tests cannot at present be performed without the influence of other forces (other gravitational forces that can't be ruled out, magnetisim, etc) Gravity will always be considered a Valid theory, but not a fact.

Answer 3

Einstein often said things like this half-jokingly out of hubris (no doubt he was refering to *his* theory). As another example, just before a solar eclipse that was to test for the first time his General Relativity's prediction of starlight deflection by the sun's gravity, he was asked what he would say if the predicition turned out to be false. He replied (paraphrasing), "I'd say that God made a mistake"

Update:

Having been prodded by John Winston's objection to use of a mere paraphrase, I've tracked down the actual quote and corrected the context. *After* the eclipse had already validated his prediction, when asked what he *would have* done had the results been otherwise, Einstein said "Then I would have been sorry for the dear Lord. The theory *is* correct".

Answer 4

Yes he did but...
I think Einstein didn't mean "fact" to be an absolute truth, but rather what is believed to be true at the time. For example, until recently, it was a fact that Pluto was the 9th planet.

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"Theories are based on facts"? Not always... the theory of relativity is based on theoretic mathematics and can be proved using mathematics. Yes, many aspects of it were verified years later based on observations.

Answer 5

yes. This is because a theory is always constructed based on facts. a theory can only be verified. It can never be proved.

Answer 6

Yes he said it, but its not what you think it means. He was not advocating this practice but rather commenting on how when people process information about the world they will often ignore facts when they are in conflict with what they believe. He was making a social commentary.

Answer 7

it definitely sounds apocryphal.It could be a distortion of "if the facts don't fit the theory,change the theory".

Answer 8

I am familiar with that quote from Einstein.I feel that paraphrasing it would mean to distort the facts and that would be unacceptable.

Answer 9

yes i guess