Astrophysics Quote by Neil deGrasse Tyson
““When Newton breached this philosophical barrier by rendering all motion comprehensible and predictable, some theologians criticized him for leaving nothing for the Creator to do.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Science and Faith Dialogue, 2015
Newton's laws explained motion, leading some religious critics to claim they left no role for a divine creator.
In simple terms: Science can seem to diminish the need for a deity.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that scientific explanations don’t preclude spiritual belief.
Themes
science
faith
philosophy
history
controversy
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
balanced
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- Classroom teaching
- public debates
- personal belief reconciliation
Key Concepts
Determinism
theology
epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- Can scientific understanding coexist with religious faith?
- What aspects of life remain beyond scientific explanation?
A Different Perspective
Science may not address existential meaning for everyone.
![“As to your Newton, I confess I do not understand his void and his gravity; I admit he has demonstrated the movement of the heavenly bodies with more exactitude than his forerunners; but you will admit it is an absurdity to maintain the existence of Nothing. [Letter to Voltaire, 25 Nov. 1777]” quote by Frederick the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9a1/frederick-the-great-8525_absurdity_as-to-your-newton-i-confess-i-do-not-und_1077457.jpg)
![“No one must think that Newton’s great creation can be overthrown in any real sense by this [Theory of Relativity] or by any other theory. His clear and wide ideas will for ever retain their significance as the foundation on which our modern conceptions of physics have been built.” quote by Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a7a/albert-einstein-33_built_no-one-must-think-that-newton-s-great-cr_591691.jpg)
![“They [scientists of centuries past] call on God only from the lonely and precarious edge of incomprehension. Where they feel certain about their explanations, however, God gets hardly a mention.” quote by Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0b0/neil-degrasse-tyson-143_century_they-scientists-of-centuries-past-call-o_12921.jpg)
