When a new scientific theory is put forward, scientists wish to know how close it is to the truth. The most straightforward way of estimating how close a theory is to the truth is to test its predictions against empirical data. This procedure is often difficult to carry out, however.
Figure 1. Raphael's The Three Graces (circa 1504) illustrates the ancient doctrine of the unity of the virtues. The doctrine is embodied in the classical Greek term kalos kagathos, which means "both good to look at and manifesting goodness in action." A moral variant of the doctrine holds that handsomeness or comeliness accompanies moral virtues or spiritual nobility in persons. An epistemological variant proposes that beauty accompanies truth, sometimes expressed in the motto Pulchritudo splendor veritatis ("Beauty is the splendor of truth"). Both variants of this doctrine were popular in the Renaissance. Although few people in our century would explicitly accept the moral variant, many notable scientists still believe that the epistemological variant applies to scientific truths. In the light of the history of science, however, this belief cannot be sustained.
With permission of the Musée Condé, Chantilly, France.
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