--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In his first philosophical lecture on…" description: "\"“In his first philosophical lecture on modern physics that Pauli gave in November 1934 to the Zurich Philosophical Society he said that only a formulat..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a96/charles-p-enz-91251_fine-structure-const_in-his-first-philosophical-lecture-on-mo_1764442.jpg" --- # In his first philosophical lecture on modern physics that… ![“In his first philosophical lecture on modern physics that Pauli gave in November 1934 to the Zurich Philosophical Society he said that only a formulation of quantum theory would be satisfactory which expresses the relation between the value of [the fine structure constant] and charge conservation…” quote by Charles P. Enz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a96/charles-p-enz-91251_fine-structure-const_in-his-first-philosophical-lecture-on-mo_1764442.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a96/charles-p-enz-91251_fine-structure-const_in-his-first-philosophical-lecture-on-mo_1764442.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a96/charles-p-enz-91251_fine-structure-const_in-his-first-philosophical-lecture-on-mo_1764442.jpg) > ““In his first philosophical lecture on modern physics that Pauli gave in November 1934 to the Zurich Philosophical Society he said that only a formulation of quantum theory would be satisfactory which expresses the relation between the value of \[the fine structure constant\] and charge conservation in the same complementary was as that between the space-time description and energy-momentum conservation.”” Charles P. Enz ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Pauli emphasized that a satisfactory quantum theory must link the fine‑structure constant to charge conservation as space‑time links to energy‑momentum conservation. **In simple terms:** Quantum theory should connect constants and conservation laws like other physical relations. Key Takeaway Seek theories that unify seemingly separate physical concepts. Themes physics quantum theory history of science theory fundamental constants Mood inquisitive analytical reflective Type Fine-structure-constant:1 History of science:1 Modern physics:1 Pauli:1 Physics:1 Quantum theory:1 Theory:1 Wolfgang-pauli:1 Physics Pauli:0 Pauli Gave:0 Philosophical Lecture:0 When to use this quote - academic research - physics education - theoretical development Key Concepts symmetry complementarity conservation laws Questions to Reflect On - How can we test the proposed link experimentally? - What other constants might be similarly related? A Different Perspective Limited experimental data may hinder verification of such unified formulations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [History of science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history-of-science/) [Modern physics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modern-physics/) [Physics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physics/) [Quantum theory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quantum-theory/) ## Related quotes > [ “For \[Wolfgang\] Pauli the central problem of electrodynamics was the field concept and the existence of an elementary charge which is expressible by the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-p-enz/for-wolfgang-pauli-the-central-problem-of-electrodynamics-was-the/) Charles P. Enz > [“The prime number 137 had continuously occupied Pauli's mind. It is an approximate value for a constant appearing in the fine structure theory of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-v-laurikainen/the-prime-number-137-had-continuously-occupied-pauli-s-mind-it-is-an/) K. V. Laurikainen > [“If we wanted to construct a basic philosophical attitude from these scientific utterances of Pauli 's, at first we would be inclined to infer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-heisenberg/if-we-wanted-to-construct-a-basic-philosophical-attitude-from-these/) [Werner Heisenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-heisenberg/) > [“A good example of the archetypal ideas which the archetypes produce are natural numbers or integers. With the aid of the integers the shaping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-v-laurikainen/a-good-example-of-the-archetypal-ideas-which-the-archetypes-produce/) K. V. Laurikainen > [“The focus of history and philosophy of science scholar Arthur Miller’s (2010) "137: Jung and Pauli and the Pursuit of Scientific Obsession" is Jung…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-hayen/the-focus-of-history-and-philosophy-of-science-scholar-arthur-miller/) Todd Hayen > [“Realizing its fundamental importance in understanding spectral lines, in atomic physics and in the theory of how light and electrons interact, quantum electrodynamics, Pauli…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-i-miller/realizing-its-fundamental-importance-in-understanding-spectral-lines/) Arthur I. Miller > [ “Through Jung \[Pauli\] became very interested in various kinds of mysticism, including Jewish mysticism. This led Pauli to develop a friendship with Gershom Scholem,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-frederick-weisskopf/through-jung-pauli-became-very-interested-in-various-kinds-of/) [Victor Frederick Weisskopf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-frederick-weisskopf/) > [It was absolutely marvelous working for Pauli. You could ask him anything. There was no worry that he would think a particular question was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-frederick-weisskopf/it-was-absolutely-marvelous-working-for-pauli-you-could-ask-him/) [Victor Frederick Weisskopf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-frederick-weisskopf/) > [After reading a paper by a young theoretical scientist, Pauli, shaking his head sadly, commented: That is not even wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-pauli/after-reading-a-paper-by-a-young-theoretical-scientist-pauli-shaking/) [Wolfgang Pauli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-pauli/) > [As modern physics started with the Newtonian revolution, so modern philosophy starts with what one might call the Cartesian Catastrophe. The catastrophe consisted in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/as-modern-physics-started-with-the-newtonian-revolution-so-modern/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [“A good many times I have been present at gatherings of people who, by the standards of the traditional culture, are thought highly educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-p-snow/a-good-many-times-i-have-been-present-at-gatherings-of-people-who-by/) [C.P. Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-p-snow/) > [Modern physics is describing what the ancient wisdom keepers of the Americas have long known. These shamans, known as 'the Earthkeepers,' say that we’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alberto-villoldo/modern-physics-is-describing-what-the-ancient-wisdom-keepers-of-the/) [Alberto Villoldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alberto-villoldo/) > [When modern physics exerts itself to establish the world's formula, what occurs thereby is this: the being of entities has resolved itself into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-heidegger/when-modern-physics-exerts-itself-to-establish-the-world-s-formula/) [Martin Heidegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-heidegger/) > [I think that modern physics has definitely decided in favor of Plato. In fact the smallest units of matter are not physical objects in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-heisenberg/i-think-that-modern-physics-has-definitely-decided-in-favor-of-plato/) [Werner Heisenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-heisenberg/) > [The velocity of light occupies an extraordinary place in modern physics. It is lèse-majesté to make any criticism of the velocity of light. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-standen/the-velocity-of-light-occupies-an-extraordinary-place-in-modern/) [Anthony Standen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-standen/) ## More by Charles P. Enz > [ “For \[Wolfgang\] Pauli the central problem of electrodynamics was the field concept and the existence of an elementary charge which is expressible by the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-p-enz/for-wolfgang-pauli-the-central-problem-of-electrodynamics-was-the/) Charles P. Enz Explore all 2 Charles P. Enz quotes ## More Fine-structure-constant quotes > [“The strength of the familiar electromagnetic force between two electrons, for example, is expressed in physics in terms of a constant known as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-livio/the-strength-of-the-familiar-electromagnetic-force-between-two/) Mario Livio > [“You too can make the golden cut, relating the two poles of your being in perfect golden proportion, thus enabling the lower to resonate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-charlotte-primrose/you-too-can-make-the-golden-cut-relating-the-two-poles-of-your-being/) Alison Charlotte Primrose > [“If the deep logic of what determines the value of the fine-structure constant also played a significant role in our understanding of all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-barrow/if-the-deep-logic-of-what-determines-the-value-of-the-fine-structure/) [John D. Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-barrow/) > [ “Through Jung \[Pauli\] became very interested in various kinds of mysticism, including Jewish mysticism. This led Pauli to develop a friendship with Gershom Scholem,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-frederick-weisskopf/through-jung-pauli-became-very-interested-in-various-kinds-of/) [Victor Frederick Weisskopf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-frederick-weisskopf/) > [“Now let us analyze the other two occupants of the inner Sanctuary or Oracle. They are the two cherubim who guard the Ark ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-eisen/now-let-us-analyze-the-other-two-occupants-of-the-inner-sanctuary-or/) William Eisen > [“We present a series of hypotheses and speculations, leading inescapably to the conclusion that SU(5) is the gauge group of the world — that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-georgi-s-l-glashow/we-present-a-series-of-hypotheses-and-speculations-leading/) Howard Georgi & S. L. Glashow > [“All integral laws of spectral lines and of atomic theory spring originally from the quantum theory. It is the mysterious organon on which Nature…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-sommerfeld/all-integral-laws-of-spectral-lines-and-of-atomic-theory-spring/) [Arnold Sommerfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-sommerfeld/) > [“Take this neat little equation here. It tells me all the ways an electron can make itself comfortable in or around an atom. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-feynman/take-this-neat-little-equation-here-it-tells-me-all-the-ways-an/) [Richard Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-feynman/) > [“Number ... should not be understood solely as a construction of consciousness, but also as an archetype and thus as a constituent of nature…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-louise-von-franz/number-should-not-be-understood-solely-as-a-construction-of/) [Marie-Louise von Franz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-louise-von-franz/) > [“Today alpha equals 1/137.0359 or so. Regardless, its value makes the periodic table possible. It allows atoms to exist and also allows them to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-kean/today-alpha-equals-1-137-0359-or-so-regardless-its-value-makes-the/) [Sam Kean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-kean/) > [“The power of the deductive network produced in physics has been illustrated in a delightful article by Victor F. Weisskopf. He begins by taking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-holton/the-power-of-the-deductive-network-produced-in-physics-has-been/) [Gerald Holton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-holton/) > [ “For \[Wolfgang\] Pauli the central problem of electrodynamics was the field concept and the existence of an elementary charge which is expressible by the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-p-enz/for-wolfgang-pauli-the-central-problem-of-electrodynamics-was-the/) Charles P. Enz > [“While twentieth-century physicists were not able to identify any convincing mathematical constants underlying the fine structure, partly because such thinking has normally not been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-johan-calleman/while-twentieth-century-physicists-were-not-able-to-identify-any/) Carl Johan Calleman > [“Physicists love this number not just because it is dimensionless, but also because it is a combination of three fundamental constants of nature. Why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-archibald-wheeler/physicists-love-this-number-not-just-because-it-is-dimensionless-but/) [John Archibald Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-archibald-wheeler/) > [“The bridge between the electron and the other elementary particles is provided by the fine structure constant. ... An expanded form of the constant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-h-mac-gregor/the-bridge-between-the-electron-and-the-other-elementary-particles-is/) Malcolm H. Mac Gregor Browse all 49 Fine-structure-constant quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“In his first philosophical lecture on modern physics that Pauli gave in November 1934 to the Zurich Philosophical Society he said that only a formulation of quantum theory would be satisfactory which expresses the relation between the value of [the fine structure constant] and charge conservation in the same complementary was as that between the space-time description and energy-momentum conservation.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Charles P. Enz" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-p-enz/in-his-first-philosophical-lecture-on-modern-physics-that-pauli-gave/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Fine-structure-constant" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-p-enz/in-his-first-philosophical-lecture-on-modern-physics-that-pauli-gave/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a96/charles-p-enz-91251_fine-structure-const_in-his-first-philosophical-lecture-on-mo_1764442.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a96/charles-p-enz-91251_fine-structure-const_in-his-first-philosophical-lecture-on-mo_1764442.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a96/charles-p-enz-91251_fine-structure-const_in-his-first-philosophical-lecture-on-mo_1764442.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In his first philosophical lecture on modern physics that Pauli gave in November 1934 to the Zurich…” — Charles P. Enz", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Charles P. Enz", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-p-enz/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“In his first philosophical lecture on...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-p-enz/in-his-first-philosophical-lecture-on-modern-physics-that-pauli-gave/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-p-enz/in-his-first-philosophical-lecture-on-modern-physics-that-pauli-gave/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```