Robert Boyle

not entirely to be acquiesced in, as absolutely perfect, or uncapable of improving alterations.

preferred before any others, as

I would have such kind of supestructures looked upon only as temporary

a considerable number of experiments, in proportion to the comprehensiveness of the theory to be erected on them. And

would forbear to establish any theory, till they have consulted with

For it has been truly observed by a great philosopher, that truth does more easily emerge out of error than confusion.

that by examining how far the phænomena are, or are not, capable of being solved by that hypothesis

by proceeding upon a conjecturally-supposed number, as if it were that, which we inquire after, we are wont to come to the knowledge of the true number sought for

Not that I at all disallow the use of reasoning upon experiments, or the endeavouring to discern as early as we can the confederations, and differences, and tendencies of things: for such an absolute suspension of the exercise of reasoning …

one of the considerablest services, that they could do mankind, were to set themselves diligently and industriously to make experiments and collect observations, without being over-forward to establish principles and axioms

if men could be persuaded to mind more the advancement of natural philosophy than that of their own reputations

if but a full light of new experiments and observations be freely let in upon them, the beauty

whilst they are looked on with such a weak and determinate degree of light, they may appear

in divers of the philosophical theories

did immediately disappear

all which, upon the admission of more light into the room

a lively representation of

a convex glass, applied to the only hole, by which light was permitted to enter, did project upon a large white sheet of paper

I was brought to the top of a tower, where, in a darkened room

For it very rarely otherwise happens, than that theories, that are grounded but upon few and obvious experiments, are subject to be contradicted by some such instances, as more free and diligent inquiries into what of nature is more …

that they have too hastily, and either upon a few observations, or at least without a competent number of experiments, presumed to establish principles, and deliver axioms.

other celebrated philosophers, chiefly to this

requisite to write systematically; and I am apt to impute many of the deficiencies to be met with in the theories and reasonings of such great wits as Aristotle, Campanella, and

far from having such a stock of experiments and observations