Able Quote by Arthur Eddington
“Unless the structure of the nucleus has a surprise in store for us, the conclusion seems plain — there is nothing in the whole system of laws of physics that cannot be deduced unambiguously from epistemological considerations.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Nature of the Physical World, 1928
Eddington argues that all physical laws could, in principle, be derived from pure epistemology, suggesting a deep logical foundation for physics.
In simple terms: Physics might be fully deduced from knowledge principles.
Key Takeaway
Consider the role of logic in scientific discovery.
Themes
physics
philosophy
logic
epistemology
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
skeptical
Type
philosophical
theoretical
When to use this quote
- research planning
- theoretical modeling
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
foundations of science
theory of knowledge
metaphysics
Questions to Reflect On
- Can all physical phenomena be predicted by logic alone?
- What limits does empirical data place on pure deduction?
A Different Perspective
This view may underestimate empirical constraints and experimental surprises.
