Impossible Quote by Max Born
“Intellect distinguishes between the possible and the impossible; reason distinguishes between the sensible and the senseless. Even the possible can be senseless.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Principles of Optics, Max Born, 1959
Intellect separates feasible ideas from infeasible, while reason separates logical from illogical; even feasible ideas may lack sense.
In simple terms: Mind separates possible from impossible and sensible from nonsensical.
Key Takeaway
Use reason to evaluate feasibility and sensibility.
Themes
logic
reason
critical thinking
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- scientific research
- ethical decision making
Key Concepts
philosophy
epistemology
cognitive bias
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you test if a possible idea is sensible?
- When should intuition override pure logic?
A Different Perspective
Reason may not capture emotional or cultural dimensions.
