Body Quote by Richard P. Feynman
“Scientific knowledge is a body of statements of varying degrees of certainty -- some most unsure, some nearly sure, none absolutely certain.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Character of Physical Law, Richard P. Feynman, 1965
Scientific statements vary in certainty; some are tentative, others robust, but none are beyond doubt.
In simple terms: Science is never absolutely certain.
Key Takeaway
Accept uncertainty, keep questioning.
Themes
science
philosophy
epistemology
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- research
- education
- policy making
- public discourse
Key Concepts
certainty
probability
theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance confidence with humility?
- When should we trust scientific consensus?
A Different Perspective
Absolute certainty is unattainable, leading to overconfidence.
![“I've used the Phoenix Centrifuge to replicate what the body's going to go through on the flight up. I've also done some gravity tests with ZERO-G [a charter-flight service in Arlington, Va., that uses modified Boeing 727s to simulate weightlessness], which went great.” quote by Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aa1/richard-branson-256_adventure_i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-repl_903.jpg)
