"The matter which we suppose to be the main constituent of the universe is built out of small self-contained building-blocks, the chemical atoms. It cannot be repeated too often that the word "atom" is nowadays detached from any of the old philosophical speculations: we know precisely that the atoms with which we are dealing are in no sense the simplest conceivable components of the universe. On the contrary, a number of phenomena, especially in the area of spectroscopy, lead to the conclusion that atoms are very complicated structures. So far as modern science is concerned, we have to abandon completely the idea that by going into the realm of the small we shall reach the ultimate foundations of the universe. I believe we can abandon this idea without any regret. The universe is infinite in all directions, not only above us in the large but also below us in the small. If we start from our human scale of existence and explore the content of the universe further and further, we finally arrive, both in the large and in the small, at misty distances where first our senses and then even our concepts fail us."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Matter
33 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Matter →
Related Quotes
"Matter, in our view, is an aggregate of ‘images’. And by ‘image’ we mean a certain existence which is more than that …"
"Of course, we must avoid postulating a new element for each new phenomenon. But an equally serious mistake is to admi…"
"Deep down the consciousness of mankind is one. This is a virtual certainty because even in the vacuum matter is one; …"
"His philosophical solution of the spiritual problem lay in his affirmation of the identity of the mind and matter and…"
"It is mere rubbish thinking, at present, of origin of life; one might as well think of origin of matter. —"
"I recently listened to a talk by a famous biologist. He spoke about... scientific materialism and religious transcend…"
"Matter in quantum mechanics is not an inert substance but an active agent, constantly making choices between alternat…"
"Natural science served as - if we overlook the hasty identification of mind and matter which had its origin in natura…"
"Popular thought, supported by desires common to all human beings, readily accepts the view that mind is essentially d…"
"In later years, Pauli seems to have decided that Bohr himself was not a complete supporter of the Copenhagen interpre…"