“Discrepancy between theory and practice, which in sound physical and mechanical science is a delusion, has a real existence in the minds of men; and that fallacy, through rejected by their judgments, continues to exert and influence over their acts.” MenMindRealSoundExistencePracticeInfluenceTheoryJudgmentDelusionRejectedFallacyDiscrepanciesTheory And PracticeDiscrepancies Between Book:A Manual of Applied Mechanics Source: A Manual of Applied Mechanics
“The words 'theory' and 'practice' are of Greek origin; they carry our thoughts back to the ancient philosophers by whom they were contrived, and by whom they were also contrasted and placed in opposition, as denoting two mutually conflicting and mutually inconsistent ideas. ... [this fallacy] based on a double system of natural laws retarded for centuries the development of physical science, notably mechanics.” TwoIdeasLawNaturalPracticeCenturyTheoryDevelopmentAncientPhilosopherGreekOppositionOur ThoughtsMechanicFallacyNatural LawInconsistentRetardedPhysical ScienceTheory And Practice Author:William John Macquorn Rankine