"[W]ith regard to light, that it consists of vibrations was almost proved by the phenomena of diffraction, while those of polarisation showed the excursions of the particles to be perpendicular to the line of propogation; but the phenomena of dispersion, etc., require additional hypotheses which may be very complicated. Thus, the further progress of molecular speculation appears quite uncertain. If hypotheses are to be tried haphazard, or simply because they will suit certain phenomena, it will occupy the mathematical physicists of the world say half a century on the average to bring each theory to the test, and since the number of possible theories may go up into the trillion, only one of which can be true, we have little prospect of making further solid additions to the subject in our time."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Charles Sanders Pierce, "The Architecture of Theories" in The Monist (January 1891) Vol. I, No. 2, p. 161ff.
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Light
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Light
105 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Light →
Related Quotes
"Valgus naerab pimeduse tööd. (EVS)"
"Corruption springs from light: 'tis one same power Creates, preserves, destroys; matter whereon It works, on e'er sel…"
"The black moment is the moment when the real message of transformation is going to come. At the darkest moment comes …"
"Do not complain and cry and pray, but open your eyes and see, for the light is all about you, and it is so wonderful,…"
"For I light my candle from their torches."
"The light Begin to bleed, Begin to breathe, Begin to speak. D'you know what? I love you better now."
"The light in the world comes principally from two sources,—the sun, and the student's lamp."
"I never saw an ugly thing in my life: for let the form of an object be what it may-light, shade, and perspective will…"
"Phenomena were accounted for by taking into consideration the frictional resistances that would interfere with rapid …"
"The light will not shame you, if it shows you your own ugliness, and that ugliness so offends you that you perceive t…"