The totality of our so-called knowledge or beliefs, from…
“The totality of our so-called knowledge or beliefs, from the most casual matters of geography and history to the profoundest laws of atomic physics or even of pure mathematics and logic, is a man-made fabric which impinges on experience only along the edges. Or, to change the figure, total science is like a field of force whose boundary conditions are experience.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Science is a constructed framework that only touches reality at its edges; the core remains beyond direct experience.
In simple terms: Science only meets reality at its borders.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about the limits of knowledge.
Themes
epistemology
science
philosophy
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
epistemic
critical
When to use this quote
- research
- education
- policy making
- critical thinking
Key Concepts
theory of knowledge
boundary conditions
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we know what lies beyond scientific boundaries?
- What role does experience play in shaping scientific theories?
A Different Perspective
Science may overlook phenomena outside its current models.