Extinguished philosophies lie about the cradle of every science as the strangled snakes beside that of Hercules.
John McCarthy, adapted a line by T.H. Huxley
I'm fine with this quote as long as the conclusion is not "So let's just do science without any philosophy!"
Because usually that just means doing science with unexamined philosophical assumptions while deluding yourself that you're being objective. This goes badly; e.g., Copenhagen interpretation, neurobabble ("Libet experiment proves you have no free will!").
Another month has passed and here is a new rationality quotes thread. The usual rules are: