Certain Quote by Arthur Eddington
“When an investigator has developed a formula which gives a complete representation of the phenomena within a certain range, he may be prone to satisfaction. Would it not be wiser if he should say 'Foiled again! I can find out no more about Nature along this line.'”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Nature of the Physical World, 1928
A scientist may feel satisfied with a successful model, but humility demands recognizing its limits and seeking new questions.
In simple terms: Science requires humility after success.
Key Takeaway
Stay curious, question results.
Themes
science
philosophy
humility
methodology
inquiry
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
academic
When to use this quote
- laboratory work
- theoretical modeling
- academic teaching
Key Concepts
critical thinking
open‑ended research
skepticism
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you stopped probing a problem too soon?
- What signs indicate a model’s limits?
A Different Perspective
Overconfidence can stall progress.
