--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The abstract analysis of the world by…" description: "\"The abstract analysis of the world by mathematics and physics rests on the concepts of space and time.\" — James J. Gibson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26b/james-j-gibson-39116_abstract_the-abstract-analysis-of-the-world-by-ma_2921946.png" --- # The abstract analysis of the world by mathematics and… ![“The abstract analysis of the world by mathematics and physics rests on the concepts of space and time.” quote by James J. Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26b/james-j-gibson-39116_abstract_the-abstract-analysis-of-the-world-by-ma_2921946.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26b/james-j-gibson-39116_abstract_the-abstract-analysis-of-the-world-by-ma_2921946.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26b/james-j-gibson-39116_abstract_the-abstract-analysis-of-the-world-by-ma_2921946.png) > “The abstract analysis of the world by mathematics and physics rests on the concepts of space and time.” [James J. Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-j-gibson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Mathematics and physics rely on space‑time concepts to analyze reality. **In simple terms:** Science depends on space and time concepts. Key Takeaway Recognize space‑time as analytical foundations. Themes science philosophy physics Mood analytical academic Type philosophical scientific When to use this quote - research methodology - educational curricula - theoretical physics Key Concepts spacetime mathematical modeling Questions to Reflect On - How does spacetime shape scientific inquiry? - What limits arise from this reliance? A Different Perspective It may ignore alternative frameworks beyond spacetime. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abstract](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abstract/) [Analysis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/analysis/) [Mathematics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mathematics/) [Physics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physics/) [Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space/) [Space and time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space-and-time/) [Space time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space-time/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time and space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-and-space/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [His life, measured in space and time, will take up a mere few lines, which my ignorance will abbreviate further.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/his-life-measured-in-space-and-time-will-take-up-a-mere-few-lines/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [Einstein comes along and says, space and time can warp and curve, that's what gravity is. Now string theory comes along and says, yes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-greene/einstein-comes-along-and-says-space-and-time-can-warp-and-curve-that/) [Brian Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-greene/) > [Space and time are real for the man who is yet imperfect, and space is divided for him into dimensions; time, into past, present,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/space-and-time-are-real-for-the-man-who-is-yet-imperfect-and-space-is/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [In some sense, gravity does not exist; what moves the planets and the stars is the distortion of space and time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michio-kaku/in-some-sense-gravity-does-not-exist-what-moves-the-planets-and-the/) [Michio Kaku](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michio-kaku/) > [The cosmos exploded, actualizing its potentiality of space and time. The centers of power, like fragments of a bursting bomb, were hurled apart. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olaf-stapledon/the-cosmos-exploded-actualizing-its-potentiality-of-space-and-time/) [Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olaf-stapledon/) > [Space and time are figments of you're imagination, unless the guy you're flying next to won't shut up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dov-davidoff/space-and-time-are-figments-of-you-re-imagination-unless-the-guy-you/) [Dov Davidoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dov-davidoff/) > [We live in a box of space and time. Movies are windows in its walls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ebert/we-live-in-a-box-of-space-and-time-movies-are-windows-in-its-walls/) [Roger Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ebert/) > [I sometimes ask myself how it came about that I was the one to develop the theory of relativity. The reason, I think, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/i-sometimes-ask-myself-how-it-came-about-that-i-was-the-one-to/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I think the answer of course is that space and time are not these hard external objects. Again we're, scientists have been building from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-lanza/i-think-the-answer-of-course-is-that-space-and-time-are-not-these/) [Robert Lanza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-lanza/) > [I heard that in relativity theory, space and time are the same thing. Einstein discovered this when he kept showing up three miles late…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/i-heard-that-in-relativity-theory-space-and-time-are-the-same-thing/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [Far from being accidental details, the properties of nature's basic building blocks are deeply entwined with the fabric of space and time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-greene/far-from-being-accidental-details-the-properties-of-nature-s-basic/) [Brian Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-greene/) > [You have this world of mathematics, which is very real and which contains all kinds of wonderful stuff. And then we also have the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freeman-dyson/you-have-this-world-of-mathematics-which-is-very-real-and-which/) [Freeman Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freeman-dyson/) > [“Only in the world of mathematics do two negatives multiply into a positive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abby-morel/only-in-the-world-of-mathematics-do-two-negatives-multiply-into-a/) Abby Morel > [Love is space and time measured by the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-proust/love-is-space-and-time-measured-by-the-heart/) [Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-proust/) > [“Every moment, if properly utilized, has the potential to transcend space and time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haresh-sippy/every-moment-if-properly-utilized-has-the-potential-to-transcend/) [Haresh Sippy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haresh-sippy/) ## More by James J. Gibson > [There has been a great gulf in psychological thought between the perception of space and objects on one hand and the perception of meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-j-gibson/there-has-been-a-great-gulf-in-psychological-thought-between-the/) [James J. Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-j-gibson/) > [Hence it is that the shape of something is especially meaningful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-j-gibson/hence-it-is-that-the-shape-of-something-is-especially-meaningful/) [James J. Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-j-gibson/) > [The human young must learn to perceive these affordances, in some degree at least, but the young of some animals do not have time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-j-gibson/the-human-young-must-learn-to-perceive-these-affordances-in-some/) [James J. Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-j-gibson/) > [The perception of what a thing is and the perception of what it means are not separate, either.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-j-gibson/the-perception-of-what-a-thing-is-and-the-perception-of-what-it-means/) [James J. Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-j-gibson/) > [Psychology is still trying to explain the perception of the position of an object in space, along with its shape, size, and so on,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-j-gibson/psychology-is-still-trying-to-explain-the-perception-of-the-position/) [James J. Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-j-gibson/) > [I also assume that they are not simply the physical properties of things as now conceived by physical science. Instead, they are ecological, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-j-gibson/i-also-assume-that-they-are-not-simply-the-physical-properties-of/) [James J. Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-j-gibson/) > [What a thing is and what it means are not separate, the former being physical and the latter mental as we are accustomed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-j-gibson/what-a-thing-is-and-what-it-means-are-not-separate-the-former-being/) [James J. Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-j-gibson/) > [The heart of the problem is not so much how we see objects in depth, as how we see the constant layout of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-j-gibson/the-heart-of-the-problem-is-not-so-much-how-we-see-objects-in-depth/) [James J. Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-j-gibson/) > [The meaning or value of a thing consists of what it affords.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-j-gibson/the-meaning-or-value-of-a-thing-consists-of-what-it-affords/) [James J. Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-j-gibson/) > [A mechanical encounter or other energy-exchange may cause tissue damage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-j-gibson/a-mechanical-encounter-or-other-energy-exchange-may-cause-tissue/) [James J. Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-j-gibson/) [Explore all 11 James J. Gibson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-j-gibson/) ## More Abstract quotes > [Love is like that, fragile and light. No wonder it rests upon our hearts in intangible moments, bids us follow fleeting thoughts and ideas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-like-that-fragile-and-light-no-wonder-it-rests-upon-our/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Wisdom is the abstract of the past, but beauty is the promise of the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/wisdom-is-the-abstract-of-the-past-but-beauty-is-the-promise-of-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Where human eyes have never seen, where human beings have never been, I build a world of abstract dreams, and I wait for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-ra/where-human-eyes-have-never-seen-where-human-beings-have-never-been-i/) [Sun Ra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-ra/) > [A little too abstract, a little too wise, It is time for us to kiss the earth again, It is time to let the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robinson-jeffers/a-little-too-abstract-a-little-too-wise-it-is-time-for-us-to-kiss-the/) [Robinson Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robinson-jeffers/) > [“Happy is very abstract, you can't touch it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-veal/happy-is-very-abstract-you-can-t-touch-it/) [Julius Veal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-veal/) > [Abstract Expressionism was invented by New York drunks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/abstract-expressionism-was-invented-by-new-york-drunks/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [The more horrible this world (as today, for instance), the more abstract our art, whereas a happy world brings forth an art of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/the-more-horrible-this-world-as-today-for-instance-the-more-abstract/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) > [Describing comic sensibility is near impossible. It's sort of an abstract silliness, that sometimes the joke isn't the star.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-carvey/describing-comic-sensibility-is-near-impossible-it-s-sort-of-an/) [Dana Carvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-carvey/) > [For people of color - especially African Americans - the idea that racist cops might frame members of their community is no abstract notion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-wise/for-people-of-color-especially-african-americans-the-idea-that-racist/) [Tim Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-wise/) > [The word of the Lord never comes to us as an opinion, no attempt is made to support it by argument, it comes as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-w-ivins/the-word-of-the-lord-never-comes-to-us-as-an-opinion-no-attempt-is/) Anthony W. Ivins > [A mobile is an abstract sculpture made chiefly out of sheet metal, steel rods, wire and wood. Some or all of these elements move,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-calder/a-mobile-is-an-abstract-sculpture-made-chiefly-out-of-sheet-metal/) [Alexander Calder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-calder/) > [I'm this superphilosophical kind of person. Stuck in a prison of abstract ideas and overpowering emotions, I have this personality that makes it really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natsuo-kirino/i-m-this-superphilosophical-kind-of-person-stuck-in-a-prison-of/) [Natsuo Kirino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natsuo-kirino/) > [Future lawyers should be more aware that law is not a system of abstract logic, but the web of arrangements, rooted in history but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-frankfurter/future-lawyers-should-be-more-aware-that-law-is-not-a-system-of/) [Felix Frankfurter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-frankfurter/) > [The trouble is that when you read criticisms about the other films that I've made you get the impression that they're all about themes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-haneke/the-trouble-is-that-when-you-read-criticisms-about-the-other-films/) [Michael Haneke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-haneke/) > [Painting is... a richer language than words... Painting operates through signs which are not abstract and incorporeal like words. The signs of painting are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-dubuffet/painting-is-a-richer-language-than-words-painting-operates-through/) [Jean Dubuffet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-dubuffet/) [Browse all 1,403 Abstract quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abstract/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The abstract analysis of the world by mathematics and physics rests on the concepts of space and time.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "James J. 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