"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 foundation 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
Atom
37 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Atom →
Related Quotes
"As far as materialistic atomism goes: this is one of the most well-refuted things in existence. In Europe these days,…"
"We have now got what seems to be definite proof that an X ray which spreads out in a spherical form from a source as …"
"We can still use the objectifying language of classical physics to make statements about observable facts. For instan…"
"There is a very interesting analogy between the evolution of the atom and of man in the two methods of unfoldment tha…"
"The atom is now being studied along a newer line... Much of the earlier teaching of physical science has been revolut…"
"Life is a partial, continuous, progressive, multiform and conditionally interactive self-realization of the potential…"
"The Atoms of Democritus And Newton's Particles of light Are sands upon the Red sea shore Where Israel's tents do shin…"
"We have grasped the mystery of the atom and rejected the Sermon on the Mount."
"We must be clear that when it comes to atoms, language can be used only as in poetry. The poet, too, is not nearly so…"
"In all chemical investigations, it has justly been considered an important object to ascertain the relative weights o…"