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Demonstration Quote by Henri Poincare

“When the logician has resolved each demonstration into a host of elementary operations, all of them correct, he will not yet be in possession of the whole reality, that indefinable something that constitutes the unity ... Now pure logic cannot give us this view of the whole; it is to intuition…” quote by Henri Poincare
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“When the logician has resolved each demonstration into a host of elementary operations, all of them correct, he will not yet be in possession of the whole reality, that indefinable something that constitutes the unity ... Now pure logic cannot give us this view of the whole; it is to intuition that we must look for it.”

Henri Poincare

About This Quote

Source Book: Science and Method by Henri Poincaré, 1908

Logic breaks reality into parts but cannot capture its indivisible unity; intuition is needed for the whole picture.

In simple terms: Logic alone misses the whole; intuition fills the gap.

Key Takeaway

Balance analysis with intuition.

Themes

philosophy epistemology logic intuition

Mood

contemplative inquisitive

Type

philosophical reflective

When to use this quote

  • scientific research
  • philosophical inquiry
  • creative problem solving
  • educational design

Key Concepts

reductionism holism cognitive limits

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can intuition complement analytical work?
  • When does reductionism fail?
A Different Perspective

Pure logic may overlook emergent properties.

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