There is no history of mankind, there are only many histories of all kinds of aspects of human life. And one of these is the history of political power. This is elevated into the history of the world.

Instead of encouraging the student to devote himself to his studies for the sake of studying, instead of encouraging in him a real love for his subject and for inquiry, he is encouraged to study for the sake of his personal career; he is led to acquire only such knowledge as is serviceable in getting him over the hurdles which he must clear for the sake of his advancement.

A theory that explains everything, explains nothing

I have come to the conclusion that Darwinism is not a testable scientific theory, but a metaphysical research programme.

No number of sightings of white swans can prove the theory that all swans are white. The sighting of just one black one may disprove it.

Now this principle of induction cannot be a purely logical truth like a tautology or an analytic statement. . . .

Our knowledge can only be finite, while our ignorance must necessarily be infinite.