Fundamental ideas are not a consequence of experience, but a result of the particular constitution and activity of the mind, which is… — William Whewell Copy Share Image
The hypotheses which we accept ought to explain phenomena which we have observed. But they ought to do more than this; our… — William Whewell Copy Share Image
In order that the facts obtained by observation and experiment may be capable of being used in furtherance of our exact and solid knowledge,… — William Whewell Copy Share Image
“And so no force however great can stretch a cord however fine into a horizontal line that shall be absolutely straight.” — William Whewell Copy Share Image
We cannot observe external things without some degree of Thought; nor can we reflect upon our Thoughts, without being influenced in the course of… — William Whewell Copy Share Image
The catastrophist constructs theories, the uniformitarian demolishes them. — William Whewell Copy Share Image
The system becomes more coherent as it is further extended. The elements which we require for explaining a new class of facts are already… — William Whewell Copy Share Image
The present generation finds itself the heir of a vast patrimony of science; and it must needs concern us to know the steps by… — William Whewell Copy Share Image
The object of science is knowledge; the objects of art are works. In art, truth is the means to an end; in science, it… — William Whewell Copy Share Image
The person who did most to give to analysis the generality and symmetry which are now its pride, was also the person who made… — William Whewell Copy Share Image
...the question undoubtedly is, or soon will be, not whether or no we shall employ notation in chemistry, but whether we shall use a… — William Whewell Copy Share Image
We need very much a name to describe a cultivator of science in general. I should incline to call him a scientist. [The first… — William Whewell Copy Share Image
The earlier truths are not expelled but absorbed, not contradicted but extended; and the history of each science, which may thus appear like a… — William Whewell Copy Share Image
Astronomy is ... the only progressive Science which the ancient world produced. — William Whewell Copy Share Image
