Disputant Quotes (1 quote)
In all matters of opinion and science ... the difference between men is ... oftener found to lie in
generals than in particulars; and to be less in reality than in appearance. An explication of the
terms commonly ends the controversy, and the disputants are surprised to find that they had been
quarrelling, while at bottom they agreed in their judgement.
Dissertation IV, 'Of the Standard of Taste', Four Dissertations (1757), 204.
In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion.
(1987) -- 
