Computer Quote by Richard P. Feynman
“It is going to be necessary that everything that happens in a finite volume of space and time would have to be analyzable with a finite number of logical operations. The present theory of physics is not that way, apparently. It allows space to go down into infinitesimal distances, wavelengths to get infinitely great, terms to be summed in infinite order, and so forth; and therefore, if this proposition [that physics is computer-simulatable] is right, physical law is wrong.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on Computation and Physics, 1980
Physical laws must be describable by finite logical steps; current theories use infinities that prevent simulation.
In simple terms: Physics should be computable, not infinite.
Key Takeaway
Seek finite, testable models.
Themes
computability
physics
philosophy
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
Type
theoretical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- model building
- theoretical research
- educational curricula
- philosophical debate
Key Concepts
finite logic
simulation
theory limits
Questions to Reflect On
- Can we reformulate physics without infinities?
- What are the limits of computable models?
A Different Perspective
Infinite assumptions hinder practical computation and verification.
![“Euclid manages to obtain a rigorous proof without ever dealing with infinity, by reducing the problem [of the infinitude of primes] to the study of finite numbers. This is exactly what contemporary mathematical analysis does.” quote by Lucio Russo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/66c/lucio-russo-43521_analysis_euclid-manages-to-obtain-a-rigorous-proo_2943863.jpg)
