Aspect Quote by Edsger Dijkstra
![“[Though computer science is a fairly new discipline, it is predominantly based on the Cartesian world view. As Edsgar W. Dijkstra has pointed out] A scientific discipline emerges with the - usually rather slow! - discovery of which aspects can be meaningfully 'studied' in isolation for the sake of…” quote by Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/22a/edsger-dijkstra-5102_aspect_though-computer-science-is-a-fairly-new_1280947.jpg)
“[Though computer science is a fairly new discipline, it is predominantly based on the Cartesian world view. As Edsgar W. Dijkstra has pointed out] A scientific discipline emerges with the - usually rather slow! - discovery of which aspects can be meaningfully 'studied' in isolation for the sake of their own consistency.”
About This Quote
Source Book: "The Discipline of Programming", 1976
Computer science, though new, builds on Cartesian logic; progress is slow as we isolate studyable aspects.
In simple terms: Computer science relies on logical foundations; advancement is gradual.
Key Takeaway
Focus on isolating clear problems.
Themes
computer science
logic
methodology
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
philosophical
academic
When to use this quote
- software development
- research planning
- education curricula
Key Concepts
Cartesianism
problem isolation
incremental discovery
Questions to Reflect On
- Which aspects of computing can be studied in isolation?
- How does this view affect innovation?
A Different Perspective
May limit interdisciplinary approaches.
![“[Computer science] is not really about computers and it's not about computers in the same sense that physics is not really about particle accelerators, and biology is not about microscopes and Petri dishes... and geometry isn't really about using surveying instruments.” quote by Hal Abelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/232/hal-abelson-36322_biology_computer-science-is-not-really-about-com_2130397.jpg)
![“Please don't fall into the trap of believing that I am terribly dogmatical about [the goto statement]. I have the uncomfortable feeling that others are making a religion out of it, as if the conceptual problems of programming could be solved by a single trick, by a simple form of coding discipline!” quote by Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6ad/edsger-dijkstra-5102_believe_please-don-t-fall-into-the-trap-of-belie_167695.jpg)
