--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Mathematics may be the only exception in…" description: "\"Mathematics may be the only exception in the sciences that leaves no room for skepicism. But, if mathematical results are exact as no empirical law can..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/136/luigi-luca-cavalli-sforza-6229_exception_mathematics-may-be-the-only-exception-in_1383575.jpg" --- # Mathematics may be the only exception in the sciences that… ![“Mathematics may be the only exception in the sciences that leaves no room for skepicism. But, if mathematical results are exact as no empirical law can ever be, philosophers have discovered that they are not absolutely novel - instead, they are tautological.” quote by Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/136/luigi-luca-cavalli-sforza-6229_exception_mathematics-may-be-the-only-exception-in_1383575.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/136/luigi-luca-cavalli-sforza-6229_exception_mathematics-may-be-the-only-exception-in_1383575.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/136/luigi-luca-cavalli-sforza-6229_exception_mathematics-may-be-the-only-exception-in_1383575.jpg) > “Mathematics may be the only exception in the sciences that leaves no room for skepicism. But, if mathematical results are exact as no empirical law can ever be, philosophers have discovered that they are not absolutely novel - instead, they are tautological.” [Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luigi-luca-cavalli-sforza/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Mathematics is seen as exact, yet its results are often tautological rather than truly novel. **In simple terms:** Math seems exact but can be circular. Key Takeaway Question assumptions about mathematical novelty. Themes philosophy mathematics epistemology Mood reflective analytical Type philosophical academic When to use this quote - academic research - teaching - policy making - public discourse Key Concepts tautology exactness novelty Questions to Reflect On - How do we balance mathematical rigor with philosophical critique? - Can tautological results still be valuable? A Different Perspective Mathematics still provides useful models despite philosophical limits. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Mathematics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mathematics/) [Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel/) [Philosopher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosopher/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) ## Related quotes > [Matter can be conveniently divided for descriptive purposes into space , time , mass, and energy . However we can only describe any one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-j-carroll/matter-can-be-conveniently-divided-for-descriptive-purposes-into/) [Peter J. Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-j-carroll/) > [A long memory is the most subversive idea in America. A tautology is a thing which is tautological. 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But I'm an exception because of how much I love cats.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-wu/my-chinese-zodiac-is-a-dog-but-i-m-an-exception-because-of-how-much-i/) [Jason Wu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-wu/) > [ I don't know if I know anyone, with the exception of the early inventors of rock music \[who wasn't influenced by something\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-don-t-know-if-i-know-anyone-with-the-exception-of-the-early/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [Child actors going on to become adult actors never really works, apart from a few. Jodie Foster was the exception.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-lester/child-actors-going-on-to-become-adult-actors-never-really-works-apart/) Mark Lester > [I have no admiration for culture. I have no reserve knowledge, no provisional knowledge. 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