General relativity Quote by Margaret Wertheim
“I have an abiding interest in how ordinary people produce knowledge, and what it means for individuals to know the world. I thought I'd be a theoretical physicist because I love physicists' views of the world - I find general relativity and quantum theory thrilling - but I have always felt uneasy with the idea of an Ultimate Truth. One of the functions of science is to help us instrumentally; it helps us to build things like microchips and GPS satellites. But another function of science in the modern world is to help us feel "at home in the universe".”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New York Times, 2015
Science serves both practical engineering and deeper existential comfort, revealing how everyday people create knowledge and find meaning in the cosmos.
In simple terms: Science helps build tools and gives a sense of belonging in the universe.
Key Takeaway
Embrace both utility and wonder in scientific pursuits.
Themes
knowledge creation
science philosophy
human curiosity
existential meaning
Mood
inspired
reflective
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- education
- public outreach
- technology development
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
epistemology
instrumentalism
cosmology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does scientific knowledge shape personal identity?
- What balance should we strike between practical and existential aspects of science?
A Different Perspective
Science cannot answer all ultimate questions; it remains limited by human perception.
![“Einstein, my upset stomach hates your theory [of General Relativity]—it almost hates you yourself! How am I to' provide for my students? What am I to answer to the philosophers?!!” quote by Paul Ehrenfest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8bf/paul-ehrenfest-52330_answers_einstein-my-upset-stomach-hates-your-the_467759.jpg)
