When a hypothesis enters a scientist's mind, he checks it by calculation and experiment, that is, by the mimicry and the pantomime of truth. It's plausibility infects others, and the hypothesis is accepted as the true explanation for the given phenomenon, until someone finds its faults.
In this quote, Nabokov explores the scientific process, emphasizing how a scientist formulates a hypothesis. He describes this process as a combination of practical testing and theoretical reflection, where the truth is imitated through calculations and experiments. This initial plausibility of the hypothesis can influence others, creating a consensus around it as the accepted explanation for a specific phenomenon.
However, the acceptance of such a hypothesis is often temporary. It remains valid until a critical examination reveals its shortcomings. Nabokov highlights the dynamic nature of scientific understanding, where ideas evolve based on new insights and evidence, demonstrating the constant search for deeper truths in science.
