Great men Quote by Geoffrey West
““It behoves us always to remember that in physics it has taken great men to discover simple things. . . . How far even then mathematics will suffice to describe, and physics to explain, the fabric of the body, no man can foresee. It may be that all the laws of energy, and all the properties of matter, and all the chemistry of all the colloids are as powerless to explain the body as they are impotent to comprehend the soul. For my part, I think it is not so. Of how it is that the soul informs the body, physical science teaches me nothing; and that living matter influences and is influenced by mind is a mystery without a clue. Consciousness is not explained to my comprehension by all the nerve-paths and neurons of the physiologist; nor do I ask of physics how goodness shines in one man’s face, and evil betrays itself in another. But of the construction and growth and working of the body, as of all else that is of the earth earthy, physical science is, in my humble opinion, our only teacher and guide.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Scale: The Universal Laws of Growth, Power, and Death, 2017
Science explains many physical phenomena but struggles with consciousness and moral qualities, leaving a gap between material laws and the soul.
In simple terms: Science can't fully explain mind or morality.
Key Takeaway
Recognize science's limits and seek interdisciplinary insight.
Themes
science
consciousness
philosophy
limits
interdisciplinary
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
reflective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- medical research
- ethical debates
- spiritual inquiry
- education
- public policy
Key Concepts
materialism
dualism
emergence
epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we integrate scientific and philosophical approaches to understanding consciousness?
- What role should ethics play in scientific advancement?
A Different Perspective
Science may oversimplify complex experiences, ignoring subjective nuance.
