# Observations True Role in Science If [Observations are not Sources of Knowledge](Observations%20are%20not%20Sources%20of%20Knowledge.md), then what is their role in the scientific process?What justifies the inferences that we draw from them? We never draw inferences from observations alone (for of course all [All Observations are Theory Laden](All%20Observations%20are%20Theory%20Laden.md)), but observations can become significant in the course of an argument when they reveal deficiencies in some of the contending explanations. In other words, in the [scientific problem solving process](Science%20is%20Problem%20Solving.md), observations form a sort of *criticism* of existing explanations. They can be intentionally sought out, as in the form of experimental tests, or they can be more serendipitous, as in the case observing planetary motions. We choose a scientific theory because arguments, only a few of which depend on observations, have satisfied us (for the moment) that the [Explanations](Explanations.md) offered by all known rival theories are less true, less broad or less deep. --- Date: 20241018 Links to: [Fabric of Reality](Fabric%20of%20Reality.md) pg 69 Tags: References: * []()