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Atoms Quote by Erwin Schrodinger

“From all we have learnt about the structure of living matter, we must be prepared to find it working in a manner that cannot be reduced to the ordinary laws of physics. And that not on the ground that there is any 'new force' or what not, directing the behaviour of the single atoms within a living…” quote by Erwin Schrodinger
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“From all we have learnt about the structure of living matter, we must be prepared to find it working in a manner that cannot be reduced to the ordinary laws of physics. And that not on the ground that there is any 'new force' or what not, directing the behaviour of the single atoms within a living organism, but because the construction is different from anything we have yet tested in the physical laboratory.”

Erwin Schrodinger

About This Quote

Source Book: What Is Life? by Erwin Schrödinger, 1944

Living matter may follow principles beyond conventional physics, not due to new forces but distinct structures.

In simple terms: Life may obey unknown rules.

Key Takeaway

Explore interdisciplinary science.

Themes

biology physics philosophy

Mood

curious thoughtful

Type

scientific philosophical

When to use this quote

  • research labs
  • education
  • public policy

Key Concepts

emergence complex systems

Questions to Reflect On

  • What experiments could test these ideas?
  • How does this affect our view of life?
A Different Perspective

Complexity may be overinterpreted.

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