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.
Talcott ParsonsThe importance of certain problems concerning the facts will be inherent in the structure of the system.
Talcott ParsonsEmpirical interest will be in the facts so far as they are relevant to the solution of these problems.
Talcott ParsonsThe hypothesis may be put forward, to be tested by the s subsequent investigation, that this development has been in large part a matter of the reciprocal interaction of new factual insights and knowledge on the one hand with changes in the theoretical system on the other.
Talcott Parsons