I am no friend of probability theory, I have hated it from…
![“I am no friend of probability theory, I have hated it from the first moment when our dear friend Max Born gave it birth. For it could be seen how easy and simple it made everything, in principle, everything ironed and the true problems concealed. Everybody must jump on the bandwagon [Ausweg]. And…” quote by Erwin Schrödinger](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/734/erwin-schrodinger-8450_born_i-am-no-friend-of-probability-theory-i-h_434486.jpg)
““I am no friend of probability theory, I have hated it from the first moment when our dear friend Max Born gave it birth. For it could be seen how easy and simple it made everything, in principle, everything ironed and the true problems concealed. Everybody must jump on the bandwagon [Ausweg]. And actually not a year passed before it became an official credo, and it still is.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Schrödinger criticizes probability as oversimplifying reality, hiding deeper issues, and becoming a fashionable doctrine.
In simple terms: He warns that probability masks true complexities.
Key Takeaway
Beware of overreliance on statistical shortcuts.
Themes
science
philosophy
methodology
skepticism
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
cautionary
analytical
When to use this quote
- physics research
- teaching
- policy making
- public discourse
Key Concepts
quantum mechanics
probability theory
epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does reliance on probability affect scientific insight?
- When might simplicity become a hindrance?
A Different Perspective
Probability can be useful but may obscure underlying mechanisms.