title: Only seeing is believing - the power of evidence and reason.
abstract: Biomolecular crystallography is a mature science that provides an instructive example for modern inductive reasoning as a model for Bayesian epistemology in empirical science. Fundamental scientific epistemology requires that a strong claim is supported by strong and convincing proof. Biomolecular crystallography, based on solid foundations of rich experimental data and extensive prior knowledge provides a prime example for modern, evidence based reasoning that strongly relies on assessments of plausibility based on prior knowledge while at the same time constantly delivering some of the most novel and exciting results based on new experimental evidence. As a consequence of the solid underlying physical principles and its mathematical rigor, crystallography as a mature science could be almost fool proof - were it not for the human element.
authors.affiliation: k.k. Hofkristallamt, 991 Audrey Place, Vista, CA, 92084, USA.|Department of Genetic Epidemiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Schöpfstr. 41, Innsbruck, A-6020, Austria.
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rupp
mesh_terms: D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray / Q000379:methods*; D015394:Molecular Structure
keywords: Bayesian inference; model interpretation; scientific reasoning; validation