The belief in an external world independent of the…
“The belief in an external world independent of the perceiving subject is the basis of all natural science. Since, however, sense perception only gives information of this external world or of "physical reality" indirectly, we can only grasp the latter by speculative means. It follows from this that our notions of physical reality can never be final. We must always be ready to change these notions - that is to say, the axiomatic basis of physics - in order to do justice to perceived facts in the most perfect way.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Our knowledge of the external world is indirect; scientific theories are provisional and must stay open to revision as new evidence emerges.
In simple terms: Science is a best‑guess model that can change with new data.
Key Takeaway
Stay open to updating scientific ideas.
Themes
science
philosophy
epistemology
uncertainty
progress
Mood
curious
reflective
inquisitive
Type
theoretical
educational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- research labs
- academic curricula
- public science communication
Key Concepts
falsifiability
theory change
empiricism
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence would cause a major theory shift?
- How do we balance skepticism with confidence?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on certainty can hinder innovation.