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Big bang Quote by Carlo Rovelli

“When we talk about the big bang or the fabric of space, what we are doing is not a continuation of the free and fantastic stories that humans have told nightly around campfires for hundreds of thousands of years. It is the continuation of something else: of the gaze of those same men in the first…” quote by Carlo Rovelli
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““When we talk about the big bang or the fabric of space, what we are doing is not a continuation of the free and fantastic stories that humans have told nightly around campfires for hundreds of thousands of years. It is the continuation of something else: of the gaze of those same men in the first light of day looking at tracks left by antelope in the dust of the savannah—scrutinizing and deducting from the details of reality in order to pursue something that we can’t see directly but can follow the traces of. In the awareness that we can always be wrong, and therefore ready at any moment to change direction if a new track appears; but knowing also that if we are good enough we will get it right and will find what we are seeking. This is the nature of science.””

Carlo Rovelli

About This Quote

Source Speech: Scientific Lecture, 2016

Science is a disciplined pursuit of hidden truths, built on observation, humility, and willingness to revise theories when new evidence emerges.

In simple terms: Science seeks hidden truths through observation and humility.

Key Takeaway

Embrace uncertainty and revise beliefs with new data.

Themes

science humility observation revision truth

Mood

inquisitive thoughtful analytical

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • research labs
  • field studies
  • theoretical work
  • education
  • policy making

Key Concepts

epistemology methodology critical thinking

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance confidence in a theory with openness to change?
  • What role does humility play in scientific progress?
A Different Perspective

Science can be limited by bias, funding, or sociopolitical pressures that hinder objective inquiry.

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