Scientific observation and perception in general [1935]

pp. 59-78

in: Robert S. Cohen, Thomas Schnelle, Cognition and fact, Berlin, Springer, 1986

Abstract

Until quite lately the following conviction prevailed among scientists, expressed in Poincaré's sentence: "if a research worker had infinite time at his disposal, it would suffice to tell him: Look, but look well". Our entire knowledge would allegedly emerge out of the description of his observations of all events.