--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The value of a physical theory depends…" description: "\"“The value of a physical theory depends upon its usefulness. In this sense the history of physical theories might be said to resemble the history of in..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15f/gary-zukav-714_history_the-value-of-a-physical-theory-depends-u_1752374.jpg" --- # The value of a physical theory depends upon its… ![“The value of a physical theory depends upon its usefulness. In this sense the history of physical theories might be said to resemble the history of individual personality traits. Most of us respond to our environment with a collection of automatic responses that once brought desirable results…” quote by Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15f/gary-zukav-714_history_the-value-of-a-physical-theory-depends-u_1752374.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15f/gary-zukav-714_history_the-value-of-a-physical-theory-depends-u_1752374.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15f/gary-zukav-714_history_the-value-of-a-physical-theory-depends-u_1752374.jpg) > ““The value of a physical theory depends upon its usefulness. In this sense the history of physical theories might be said to resemble the history of individual personality traits. Most of us respond to our environment with a collection of automatic responses that once brought desirable results, usually in childhood. Unfortunately, if the environment that produced these responses changes (we grow up) and the responses themselves do not adapt, they become counterproductive. Showing anger, becoming depressed, flattering, crying, and bullying behavior are response patterns appropriate to times often long past. These patterns change only when we are forced to realize that they are no longer productive. Even then change is often painful and slow. The same is true of scientific theories.”” [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The usefulness of a theory determines its value; outdated automatic responses become harmful when environments change, mirroring scientific theories. **In simple terms:** Useful theories work; outdated habits hurt. Key Takeaway Adapt or discard ineffective patterns. Themes psychology science adaptation change habit theory Mood reflective motivational analytical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal growth - career development - relationship counseling - organizational change - education reform Key Concepts Evolutionary psychology philosophy of science behavioral adaptation Questions to Reflect On - What habits are you holding onto that no longer serve you? - How can you recognize when a belief has become outdated? A Different Perspective Change is often painful and slow, and resistance can impede progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Behavior Response](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behavior-response-1616716/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Personality traits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/personality-traits/) [Physical Theories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physical-theories-1235385/) [Response Patterns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/response-patterns-1616718/) [Theory Depends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theory-depends-1616719/) [Traits Respond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/traits-respond-1616717/) ## Related quotes > [“My theory is that it depends on how a person explains her success. If someone believes that her success is due to her brilliance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-soat/my-theory-is-that-it-depends-on-how-a-person-explains-her-success-if/) [Douglas Soat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-soat/) > [Dogbert: So, Since Columbus is dead, you have no evidence that the earth is round. Dilbert: Look. You can Ask Senator John Glenn. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-adams/dogbert-so-since-columbus-is-dead-you-have-no-evidence-that-the-earth/) [Scott Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-adams/) > [Until now, physical theories have been regarded as merely models with approximately describe the reality of nature. As the models improve, so the fit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-davies/until-now-physical-theories-have-been-regarded-as-merely-models-with/) [Paul Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-davies/) > [Now these two questions Does there exist a material reality distinct from sensible appearances? and What is the nature of reality? do not have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-duhem/now-these-two-questions-does-there-exist-a-material-reality-distinct/) [Pierre Duhem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-duhem/) > [If the aim of physical theories is to explain experimental laws, theoretical physics is not an autonomous science; it is subordinate to metaphysics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-duhem/if-the-aim-of-physical-theories-is-to-explain-experimental-laws/) [Pierre Duhem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-duhem/) > [I now want to tell three stories about advances in twentieth-century physics. A curious fact emerges in these tales: time and again physicists have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-weinberg/i-now-want-to-tell-three-stories-about-advances-in-twentieth-century/) [Steven Weinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-weinberg/) > [Today's preoccupation with physical theories of everything takes a wrong turn from the purpose of science - to question all things relentlessly. Modern physics…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-lanza/today-s-preoccupation-with-physical-theories-of-everything-takes-a/) [Robert Lanza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-lanza/) > [“All the best physical theories are associated with equations which allow the continuation of data defined at present into the future, and hence allow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-barrow/all-the-best-physical-theories-are-associated-with-equations-which/) [John D. Barrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-barrow/) > [If moral statements are about something, then the universe is not quite as science suggests it is, since physical theories, having said nothing about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-berlinski/if-moral-statements-are-about-something-then-the-universe-is-not/) [David Berlinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-berlinski/) > [“What matters, instead, is whether we are able to help her develop a very different set of qualities, a list that includes persistence, self-control,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tough/what-matters-instead-is-whether-we-are-able-to-help-her-develop-a/) [Paul Tough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tough/) > [There are quite a few honest songwriters out there writing about relationships and their own personality traits. But for some reason, once they step…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bragg/there-are-quite-a-few-honest-songwriters-out-there-writing-about/) [Billy Bragg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bragg/) > [Obama's personality traits, coupled with his extreme-leftist agenda, make him particularly dangerous to the American ideal and to the preservation of our founding principles,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-limbaugh/obama-s-personality-traits-coupled-with-his-extreme-leftist-agenda/) [David Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-limbaugh/) > [More than any other personality trait, my mother seemed to be ruled by anger and sadness. She seemed to hate being a mother. Watching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/merrill-markoe/more-than-any-other-personality-trait-my-mother-seemed-to-be-ruled-by/) [Merrill Markoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/merrill-markoe/) > [“When I think about what it would take to achieve freedom from all psychological stuff, the response that comes is this: life is about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-m-ingram/when-i-think-about-what-it-would-take-to-achieve-freedom-from-all/) [Daniel M. Ingram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-m-ingram/) > [My best personality trait that I think I'm very approachable. And my worst is that I can be moody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enrique-iglesias/my-best-personality-trait-that-i-think-i-m-very-approachable-and-my/) [Enrique Iglesias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enrique-iglesias/) ## More by Gary Zukav > [If you are not conscious of all of the different parts of yourself, the part of yourself that is the strongest will win out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/if-you-are-not-conscious-of-all-of-the-different-parts-of-yourself/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [When fear ceases to scare you, it cannot stay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/when-fear-ceases-to-scare-you-it-cannot-stay/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [Emotions are classes in the Earth school. Some classes are about fear, and some are about love. The Universe is your tutor, and your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/emotions-are-classes-in-the-earth-school-some-classes-are-about-fear/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [Reverence is an attitude of honoring life. Reverence automatically brings forth patience. Reverence permits non-judgemental justice. Reverence is a perception of the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/reverence-is-an-attitude-of-honoring-life-reverence-automatically/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [Being harmless means being so strong, so empowered, that the idea of showing power through harm is not even a part of your consciousness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/being-harmless-means-being-so-strong-so-empowered-that-the-idea-of/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [I see the potential for a new world being born in front of me and all around me, and I feel the only way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/i-see-the-potential-for-a-new-world-being-born-in-front-of-me-and-all/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [The challenge to each human is creation. Will you create with reverence, or with neglect?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/the-challenge-to-each-human-is-creation-will-you-create-with/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [The coming and going of the seasons give us more than the springtimes, summers, autumns, and winters of our lives. It reflects the coming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/the-coming-and-going-of-the-seasons-give-us-more-than-the-springtimes/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [Spiritual partnership is the partnership between equals for the purpose of spiritual growth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/spiritual-partnership-is-the-partnership-between-equals-for-the/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [The requirements for our evolution have changed. Survival is no longer sufficient. Our evolution now requires us to develop spiritually-to become emotionally aware and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/the-requirements-for-our-evolution-have-changed-survival-is-no-longer/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [Please... tell me who you are and what you want. And if you think those are simple questions, keep in mind that most people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/please-tell-me-who-you-are-and-what-you-want-and-if-you-think-those/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [The number of teachers and guides that a soul has depends upon what it seeks to accomplish and its level of awareness. Souls that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/the-number-of-teachers-and-guides-that-a-soul-has-depends-upon-what/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [“Pot do duše je skozi srce.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/pot-do-du-e-je-skozi-srce/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [Its not possible to do the wrong thing. You do what you do and you experience the consequences of what you do. If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/its-not-possible-to-do-the-wrong-thing-you-do-what-you-do-and-you/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [Perfectionism is a perpetual flight into an illusory future that cannot be attained.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/perfectionism-is-a-perpetual-flight-into-an-illusory-future-that/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) [Explore all 365 Gary Zukav quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) ## More History quotes > [Histories never conclude; they just pause their prose. Their stories are, if they are truthful, untidy affairs, resistant to windings-up and sortings-out. They beat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-schama/histories-never-conclude-they-just-pause-their-prose-their-stories/) [Simon Schama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-schama/) > [It is said that history turns on small hinges. A human career, too, results from an accumulating series of decisions about large and small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/it-is-said-that-history-turns-on-small-hinges-a-human-career-too/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [The history of mankind interests us only as it exhibits a steady gain of truth and right, in the incessant conflict which it records…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-history-of-mankind-interests-us-only-as-it-exhibits-a-steady-gain/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [In the entire history of the universe, let alone in your own history, there has never been another day just like today, and there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-buechner/in-the-entire-history-of-the-universe-let-alone-in-your-own-history/) [Frederick Buechner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-buechner/) > [The NBA is my history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penny-hardaway/the-nba-is-my-history/) [Penny Hardaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penny-hardaway/) > [History has often showed us the strength of the forces that are unleashed by the yearning for freedom. It moved people to overcome their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/history-has-often-showed-us-the-strength-of-the-forces-that-are/) [Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/) > [We find few historians who have been diligent enough in their search for truth; it is their common method to take on trust what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/we-find-few-historians-who-have-been-diligent-enough-in-their-search/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [What is history after all? History is facts which become lies in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-cocteau/what-is-history-after-all-history-is-facts-which-become-lies-in-the/) [Jean Cocteau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-cocteau/) > [Things live and die, and then someone processes them into edible portions. This is a complete telling of the story, 'Food.' The basic plot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-fahrenthold/things-live-and-die-and-then-someone-processes-them-into-edible/) [David Fahrenthold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-fahrenthold/) > [History is a certain way, but you just change the point of view a little bit, and you discover a whole new side of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-schroeder/history-is-a-certain-way-but-you-just-change-the-point-of-view-a/) [Allison Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-schroeder/) > [We're at a point in history were we have to become a part of the neighborhood of inhabited planets, like a neighborhood of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-mitchell/we-re-at-a-point-in-history-were-we-have-to-become-a-part-of-the/) [Edgar Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-mitchell/) > [Today is a reality, tomorrow's a promise, and yesterday's history!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-blanks/today-is-a-reality-tomorrow-s-a-promise-and-yesterday-s-history/) [Billy Blanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-blanks/) > [Truth be told from compulsive liars with a history/Everything must change 2nd chances are a mystery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-dash/truth-be-told-from-compulsive-liars-with-a-history-everything-must/) [C-DASH](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-dash/) > [Every army in the history of the world has always had some deserters, usually much greater than we have today, because once again every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-hilferty/every-army-in-the-history-of-the-world-has-always-had-some-deserters/) [Bryan Hilferty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-hilferty/) > [“To those great geniuses now in petticoats, who shall write novels for the beloved reader's children, these men and things will be as much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-makepeace-thackeray/to-those-great-geniuses-now-in-petticoats-who-shall-write-novels-for/) [William Makepeace Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-makepeace-thackeray/) [Browse all 27,263 History quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The value of a physical theory depends upon its usefulness. In this sense the history of physical theories might be said to resemble the history of individual personality traits. Most of us respond to our environment with a collection of automatic responses that once brought desirable results, usually in childhood. Unfortunately, if the environment that produced these responses changes (we grow up) and the responses themselves do not adapt, they become counterproductive. Showing anger, becoming depressed, flattering, crying, and bullying behavior are response patterns appropriate to times often long past. These patterns change only when we are forced to realize that they are no longer productive. Even then change is often painful and slow. The same is true of scientific theories.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gary Zukav" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/the-value-of-a-physical-theory-depends-upon-its-usefulness-in-this/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "History" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/the-value-of-a-physical-theory-depends-upon-its-usefulness-in-this/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15f/gary-zukav-714_history_the-value-of-a-physical-theory-depends-u_1752374.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15f/gary-zukav-714_history_the-value-of-a-physical-theory-depends-u_1752374.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15f/gary-zukav-714_history_the-value-of-a-physical-theory-depends-u_1752374.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The value of a physical theory depends upon its usefulness. In this sense the history of physical theories…” — Gary Zukav", "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": "Gary Zukav", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“The value of a physical theory...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/the-value-of-a-physical-theory-depends-upon-its-usefulness-in-this/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/the-value-of-a-physical-theory-depends-upon-its-usefulness-in-this/#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 } } ] } ```