Appreciate Quote by Richard P. Feynman
“I have argued flying saucers with lots of people. I was interested in possible. They do not appreciate that the problem is not to demonstrate whether it's possible or not but whether it's going on or not.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Feynman Lectures on Physics, 1970
The speaker emphasizes that proving existence is less important than determining reality of occurrence.
In simple terms: Focus on whether something is actually happening, not just if it could happen.
Key Takeaway
Investigate evidence before assuming possibility.
Themes
science
skepticism
inquiry
Mood
curious
analytical
Type
philosophical
scientific
When to use this quote
- research projects
- policy decisions
- technology development
- public discourse
Key Concepts
epistemology
empiricism
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence would convince you something is occurring?
- How do you separate speculation from fact?
A Different Perspective
It can be hard to obtain reliable data in controversial fields.
