"Moral Qualities of the Scientist"

Adapted from G. Polya, Induction and Analogy in Mathematics, chapter 1, section 4, which is entitled "The Inductive Attitude".

Intellectual courage

One should be ready to revise any one of our beliefs.

Intellectual honesty

One should change a belief when there is a compelling reason to do so. To stick to a conjecture clearly contradicted by experience is dishonest. It is also dishonest to ignore information or not to state and criticize all assumptions.

Wise restraint

One should not change a belief wantonly, without some good reason. Don't just follow fashion. Do not believe anything, but question only what is worth questioning.