Astronomers Quote by Italo Calvino
““Perinthia's astronomers are faced with a difficult choice. Either they must admit that all their calculations are wrong and their figures are unable to describe the heavens, or else they must reveal that the order of the gods is reflected exactly in the city of monsters.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino, 1972
The quote contrasts admitting scientific error versus believing the cosmos mirrors mythic order, highlighting a dilemma between empirical truth and symbolic interpretation.
In simple terms: Choosing between admitting error or believing the world mirrors mythic order.
Key Takeaway
Embrace humility in knowledge and question mythic explanations.
Themes
knowledge
myth
science
interpretation
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- philosophical debate
- urban planning
- cultural analysis
Key Concepts
epistemology
mythology
cosmology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance empirical evidence with cultural myths?
- When is myth a useful lens for understanding reality?
A Different Perspective
Science may be limited by cultural narratives that shape perception.
![“There was a real choice when [Barack Obama] became president. It was a very difficult choice - to say, "We're not going to hold senior officials to account with the same laws that every other citizen in the country is held to," or "This is a nation that believes in the rule of law."” quote by Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/104/edward-snowden-555_accounts_there-was-a-real-choice-when-barack-obam_27838.jpg)
