Age Quote by Henri Poincare
“Every phenomenon, however trifling it be, has a cause, and a mind infinitely powerful, and infinitely well-informed concerning the laws of nature could have foreseen it from the beginning of the ages. If a being with such a mind existed, we could play no game of chance with him; we should always lose.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Science and Method by Henri Poincaré, 1908
All events, no matter how minor, have causes; a perfectly knowledgeable mind would predict them, making chance impossible.
In simple terms: Everything has a cause; a fully informed mind would see all outcomes.
Key Takeaway
Recognize limits of predictability.
Themes
determinism
knowledge
chance
Mood
contemplative
analytical
Type
philosophical
scientific
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- philosophical debate
- risk assessment
- strategic planning
Key Concepts
causality
infinite knowledge
Questions to Reflect On
- Can we ever truly know all causes?
- How does this view affect our sense of free will?
A Different Perspective
Assumes existence of an omniscient being, which is speculative.
