Nature Quote by Niels Bohr
““In our description of nature the purpose is not to disclose the real essence of the phenomena but only to track down, as far as possible, relations between the manifold aspects of our experience.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Lecture on Complementarity, Niels Bohr Institute, 1928
Bohr argues that scientific descriptions aim to map relationships among observable aspects, not to reveal an ultimate underlying reality.
In simple terms: Science describes connections, not hidden truths.
Focus on relational understanding.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- physics research
- philosophical inquiry
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance relational models with the search for underlying causes?
- Can we ever know the true essence of phenomena?
May overlook deeper ontological questions.