Astronomy Quote by Carl Sagan
““There is an idea - strange, haunting, evocative - one of the most exquisite conjectures in science and religion. It is entirely undemonstrated; it may never be proved. But it stirs the blood. There is, we are told, an infinite hierarchy of universes, so that an elementary particle, such as an electron, in our universe would, if penetrated, reveal itself to be entire closed universe. Within it, organized into the local equivalent of galaxies and smaller structures, are an immense number of other, much tinier elementary particles, which are themselves universe at the next level, and so on forever - an infinite downward regression, universes within universes, endlessly. And upward as well. Our familiar universe of galaxies and stars, planets and people, would be a single elementary particle in the next universe up, the first step of another infinite regress.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Cosmos, 1980
The quote explores the idea of infinite nested universes, suggesting each particle could be a universe, creating endless regressions both up and down.
In simple terms: Universe may contain endless layers of smaller and larger universes.
Key Takeaway
Consider the vastness of reality.
Themes
science
philosophy
infinity
cosmology
metaphysics
Mood
wonder
humble
curious
Type
scientific
speculative
When to use this quote
- theoretical physics discussions
- philosophical debates
- science education
Key Concepts
multiverse theory
scale
hierarchy
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this perspective change about our place in the cosmos?
- Can we ever test such ideas?
A Different Perspective
Concept is speculative and unproven.
![“[ When a religious couple wrote to Sagan about fulfilled prophecies, he wrote back in May 1996 :] If ‘fulfilled prophecy’ is your criterion, why do you not believe in materialistic science, which has an unparalleled record of fulfilled prophecy? Consider, for example, eclipses.” quote by Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/875/carl-sagan-160_belief_when-a-religious-couple-wrote-to-sagan-a_25095.jpg)
