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One cannot ignore half of life for the purposes of…

“One cannot ignore half of life for the purposes of science, and then claim that the results of science give a full and adequate picture of the meaning of life. All discussions of 'life' which begin with a description of man's place on a speck of matter in space, in an endless evolutionary scale…” quote by Colin Wilson
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“One cannot ignore half of life for the purposes of science, and then claim that the results of science give a full and adequate picture of the meaning of life. All discussions of 'life' which begin with a description of man's place on a speck of matter in space, in an endless evolutionary scale, are bound to be half-measures, because they leave out most of the experiences which are important to use as human beings.”

Colin Wilson

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Science alone cannot capture life's full meaning; it omits essential human experiences beyond material facts.

In simple terms: Science misses human experience.

Key Takeaway

Integrate lived experience with scientific insight.

Themes

philosophy science human experience

Mood

thoughtful critical

Type

philosophical reflective

When to use this quote

  • academic research
  • personal reflection
  • ethical debates
  • public policy

Key Concepts

existentialism epistemology meaning of life

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we balance empirical data with subjective experience?
  • What aspects of life resist scientific measurement?
A Different Perspective

Science may oversimplify complex emotions.

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