Ask me Quote by John Derbyshire
“Nonmathematical people sometimes ask me, “You know math, huh? Tell me something I’ve always wondered, What is infinity divided by infinity?” I can only reply, “The words you just uttered do not make sense. That was not a mathematical sentence. You spoke of ‘infinity’ as if it were a number. It’s not. You may as well ask, 'What is truth divided by beauty?’ I have no clue. I only know how to divide numbers. ‘Infinity,’ ‘truth,’ ‘beauty’—those are not numbers.”
About This Quote
Source Article: The Wall Street Journal, 2015, “Infinity and the Limits of Language”
He explains that infinity is not a number, so dividing it is meaningless; abstract concepts cannot be treated mathematically.
In simple terms: Infinity isn’t a number, so you can’t divide it.
Key Takeaway
Recognize limits of language when discussing abstract ideas.
Themes
logic
mathematics
language
philosophy of science
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
Type
educational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- education
- science communication
- philosophical debate
Key Concepts
epistemology
conceptual analysis
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we discuss abstract concepts without misusing math?
- What are the dangers of treating ideas as numbers?
A Different Perspective
Over‑reliance on mathematical metaphors can mislead understanding.
