--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But first let me mention the second aid…" description: "\"“But first let me mention the second aid to understanding provided by science. We know today that in a physical experiment the observer himself enters ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/892/pope-benedict-xvi-414_learning_but-first-let-me-mention-the-second-aid_287438.jpg" --- # But first let me mention the second aid to understanding… ![“But first let me mention the second aid to understanding provided by science. We know today that in a physical experiment the observer himself enters into the experiment and only by doing so can arrive at a physical experience. This means that there is no such thing as pure objectivity in in…” quote by Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/892/pope-benedict-xvi-414_learning_but-first-let-me-mention-the-second-aid_287438.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/892/pope-benedict-xvi-414_learning_but-first-let-me-mention-the-second-aid_287438.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/892/pope-benedict-xvi-414_learning_but-first-let-me-mention-the-second-aid_287438.jpg) > ““But first let me mention the second aid to understanding provided by science. We know today that in a physical experiment the observer himself enters into the experiment and only by doing so can arrive at a physical experience. This means that there is no such thing as pure objectivity in in physics, that even here the result of the experiment, nature's answer, depends on the question put to it. In the answer there is always a bit of the question and a bit of the questioner himself; it reflects not only nature in itself, in its pure objectivity, but also gives back something of man, of what is characteristically ours, a bit of the human subject. This too, mutatis mutandis, is true of the question of God. There is no such thing as a mere observer. There is no such thing as pure objectivity. One can even say that the higher an object stands in human terms, the more it generates the center of individuality; and the more it engages the beholder's individuality, then the smaller the possibility of the mere distancing involved in pure objectivity. Thus, whenever an answer is presented as unemotionally objective, as a statement that finally goes beyond the prejudices of the pious and provides purely factual, scientific information, then it has to be said that the speaker has here fallen victim to self-deception. This kind of objectivity is quite simply denied to man. He cannot ask and exist as a mere observer. He who tries to be a mere observer experiences nothing. Even the reality "God" can only impinge on the vision of him who enters into the experiment with God--the experiment that we call faith. Only be entering does one experience; only by cooperating in the experiment does one ask at all; and only he who asks receives an answer.”” [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage argues that pure objectivity is impossible because observers always influence outcomes; this applies to both scientific and spiritual inquiries. **In simple terms:** Observers affect results, so true objectivity doesn’t exist in science or faith. Key Takeaway Accept the role of subjectivity in knowledge. Themes theology science philosophy objectivity humanity Mood thoughtful analytical humble Type philosophical theological inspirational When to use this quote - academic research - theological debate - ethical decision‑making - personal reflection Key Concepts subjectivity observer effect faith knowledge construction human perspective Questions to Reflect On - In what ways do your assumptions shape your conclusions? - How can we balance objectivity with personal perspective? A Different Perspective Believing in pure objectivity can lead to self‑deception and ignore human influence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Objectivity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objectivity/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) ## Related quotes > [What happened is that in the middle of my life I went away and in my own sense of hubris, pride, cynicism, thought, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/what-happened-is-that-in-the-middle-of-my-life-i-went-away-and-in-my/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [“In my hands is power. The power to hear or to destroy. To grant life or to cause death. I revere this gift, have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-robb/in-my-hands-is-power-the-power-to-hear-or-to-destroy-to-grant-life-or/) [J.D. 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Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) [Browse all 22,300 Learning quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“But first let me mention the second aid to understanding provided by science. We know today that in a physical experiment the observer himself enters into the experiment and only by doing so can arrive at a physical experience. This means that there is no such thing as pure objectivity in in physics, that even here the result of the experiment, nature's answer, depends on the question put to it. In the answer there is always a bit of the question and a bit of the questioner himself; it reflects not only nature in itself, in its pure objectivity, but also gives back something of man, of what is characteristically ours, a bit of the human subject. This too, mutatis mutandis, is true of the question of God. There is no such thing as a mere observer. There is no such thing as pure objectivity. One can even say that the higher an object stands in human terms, the more it generates the center of individuality; and the more it engages the beholder's individuality, then the smaller the possibility of the mere distancing involved in pure objectivity. Thus, whenever an answer is presented as unemotionally objective, as a statement that finally goes beyond the prejudices of the pious and provides purely factual, scientific information, then it has to be said that the speaker has here fallen victim to self-deception. This kind of objectivity is quite simply denied to man. He cannot ask and exist as a mere observer. He who tries to be a mere observer experiences nothing. Even the reality \"God\" can only impinge on the vision of him who enters into the experiment with God--the experiment that we call faith. 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