Flexibility (Dictionary Entry)

Contexts

Science

Term

Flexibility

Alternative Forms

N/A

Definitions

The capacity to seek out, recognize and exploit errors - especially one’s own - or discrepancies between what tentative theory suggests should be and what practice says is so.

Related Terms

Quotes

2.2 Flexibility

On this view efficient scientific iteration evidently requires unhampered feedback. The iterative scheme shown as a feedback loop in Figure A (2). In any feedback loop it is, of course, the error signal - for example, the discrepancy between what tentative theory suggests should be so and what practice says is so - that can produce learning. The good scientist must have the flexibility and courage to seek out, recognize, and exploit such errors - especially his own. In particular, using Bacon’s analogy, he must not be like Pygmalion and fall in love with his model.

(Box, 1976, p. 791-792)

Bibliography

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