--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was a student, the laws of physics…" description: "\"When I was a student, the laws of physics were regarded as completely off limits. The job of the scientist, we were told, is to discover the laws and a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/934/paul-davies-3810_jobs_when-i-was-a-student-the-laws-of-physics_3054102.jpg" --- # When I was a student, the laws of physics were regarded as… ![“When I was a student, the laws of physics were regarded as completely off limits. The job of the scientist, we were told, is to discover the laws and apply them, not inquire into their provenance.” quote by Paul Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/934/paul-davies-3810_jobs_when-i-was-a-student-the-laws-of-physics_3054102.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/934/paul-davies-3810_jobs_when-i-was-a-student-the-laws-of-physics_3054102.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/934/paul-davies-3810_jobs_when-i-was-a-student-the-laws-of-physics_3054102.jpg) > “When I was a student, the laws of physics were regarded as completely off limits. The job of the scientist, we were told, is to discover the laws and apply them, not inquire into their provenance.” [Paul Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-davies/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Science should explore origins of laws, not just apply them. **In simple terms:** Science must question its foundations. Key Takeaway Encourage curiosity about fundamentals. Themes science philosophy of science curiosity foundations inquiry Mood inquisitive thoughtful Type academic philosophical When to use this quote - research design - educational curricula - public lectures Key Concepts theoretical physics epistemology methodology Questions to Reflect On - Why do we avoid probing origins? - What benefits arise from questioning fundamentals? 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