Arthur Eddington Quotes

1882–1944 England

Sir Arthur Stanley Eddington OM FRS (28 December 1882 – 22 November 1944) was an English astronomer, physicist, and mathematician. He was also a philosopher of science and a populariser of science.

England
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Also known as: Arthur Stanley Eddington, Eddington, Eddington, Arthur Stanley, Sir Arthur Eddington, Sir arthur eddington

Random Arthur Eddington quote

88 quotes

We used to think that if we knew one, we knew two, because one and one are two. We are finding that we must learn a great deal more about "and".

A Dictionary of Scientific Quotations (1991)

For the truth of the conclusions of physical science, observation is the supreme Court of Appeal.

The Philosophy of Physical Science (1938)

We are no longer tempted to condemn the spiritual aspects of our nature as illusory because of their lack of concreteness.

Science and the Unseen World (1929)

Science has an important part to play in our everyday existence, and there is far too much neglect of science; but its intention is to supplement not to supplant the familiar outlook.

Science and the Unseen World (1929)

It is also a good rule not to put overmuch confidence in the observational results that are put forward until they are confirmed by theory.

It is the reciprocity of these appearances — that each party should think the other has contracted — that is so difficult to realise.

Space, Time and Gravitation (1920)

Einstein's law of gravitation controls a geometrical quantity curvature in contrast to Newton's law which controls a mechanical quantity of force.

The Nature of the Physical World (1928)

If your theory is found to be against the second law of theromodynamics, I give you no hope; there is nothing for it but to collapse in deepest humiliation.

There once was a brainy baboon,
Who always breathed down a bassoon,
For he said, "It appears
That in billions of years
I shall certainly hit on a tune".

New Pathways in Science (1935)

We are saved the difficulty of imagining how the processes of life can go on in two dimensions, because nothing goes on.

Space, Time and Gravitation (1920)

The man in the street is always making this demand for concrete explanation of the things referred to in science; but of necessity he must be disappointed.

The Nature of the Physical World (1928)

There was just one alternative, the earth’s true velocity through space might happen to have been nil.

The Nature of the Physical World (1928)

At terrestrial temperatures matter has complex properties which are likely to prove most difficult to unravel; but it is reasonable to hope that in the not too distant future we shall be competent to understand so simple a thing as a star.

The Internal Constitution of Stars (1926)

Smaller and smaller. Faster and faster. One last microscopic blurr of intense agitation. And then nothing.

The Expanding Universe (1933)

We do not want a religion that deceives us for our own good.

Science and the Unseen World (1929)

The finding of one generation will not serve for the next. It tarnishes rapidly except it be reserved with an ever-renewed spirit of seeking.

Science and the Unseen World (1929)

Consciousness is not wholly, nor even primarily a device for receiving sense-impressions.

Science and the Unseen World (1929)

Some mechanism seems to be needed, whereby either gravitation creates matter, or all the matter in the universe conspires to define a law of gravitation.

Space, Time and Gravitation (1920)

The scientific answer is relevant so far as concerns the sense-impressions … For the rest the human spirit must turn to the unseen world to which it itself belongs.

Science and the Unseen World (1929)

The essential difference, which we meet in entering the realm of spirit and mind, seems to hang round the word "Ought."

Science and the Unseen World (1929)

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Arthur Eddington (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.