--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Science is the belief in the ignorance of…" description: "\"Science is the belief in the ignorance of experts.\" — Richard P. Feynman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/829/richard-p-feynman-495_belief_science-is-the-belief-in-the-ignorance-o_2229913.png" --- # Science is the belief in the ignorance of experts. ![“Science is the belief in the ignorance of experts.” quote by Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/829/richard-p-feynman-495_belief_science-is-the-belief-in-the-ignorance-o_2229913.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/829/richard-p-feynman-495_belief_science-is-the-belief-in-the-ignorance-o_2229913.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/829/richard-p-feynman-495_belief_science-is-the-belief-in-the-ignorance-o_2229913.png) > “Science is the belief in the ignorance of experts.” [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It suggests that true scientific progress comes from questioning authority and recognizing the limits of expert knowledge. **In simple terms:** Science thrives on doubt of experts. Key Takeaway Question authority, seek evidence. Themes skepticism science critical thinking humility Mood thought‑provoking analytical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - research labs - policy making - education reform - public discourse Key Concepts philosophy of science epistemology knowledge limits Questions to Reflect On - When should we trust expert consensus? - How do we balance skepticism with practical decisions? A Different Perspective Experts still provide valuable guidance when used wisely. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Experts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/experts/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Ignorance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorance/) [Physics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physics/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Statistics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/statistics/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [Science is the belief in the ignorance of the experts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-feynman/science-is-the-belief-in-the-ignorance-of-the-experts/) [Richard Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-feynman/) > [Nothing is more securely lodged than the ignorance of the experts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-august-von-hayek/nothing-is-more-securely-lodged-than-the-ignorance-of-the-experts/) [Friedrich August von Hayek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-august-von-hayek/) > [Another of the qualities of science is that it teaches the value of rational thought, as well as the importance of freedom of thought;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/another-of-the-qualities-of-science-is-that-it-teaches-the-value-of/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [Belief is in ignorance. If you know, you know. And it is good that if you don’t know, know that you don’t know —…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/belief-is-in-ignorance-if-you-know-you-know-and-it-is-good-that-if/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ “\[Chemist Michael\] Polanyi found one other necessary requirement for full initiation into science: Belief. If science has become the orthodoxy of the West, individuals… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rhodes/chemist-michael-polanyi-found-one-other-necessary-requirement-for/) [Richard Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rhodes/) > [“There is a certain hubris to science, a belief that the more we develop technology and the more we learn, the better our lives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/there-is-a-certain-hubris-to-science-a-belief-that-the-more-we/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) > [“Science with belief acted the best.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-leela-pandey/science-with-belief-acted-the-best/) [Abhishek Leela Pandey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-leela-pandey/) > [“But now science is the belief system that is hundreds of years old. And, like the medieval system before it, science is starting not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-crichton/but-now-science-is-the-belief-system-that-is-hundreds-of-years-old/) [Michael Crichton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-crichton/) > [In comparing religious belief to science, I try to remember that science is belief also.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-breault/in-comparing-religious-belief-to-science-i-try-to-remember-that/) [Robert Breault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-breault/) > [The highest court is in the end one's own conscience and conviction-that goes for you and for Einstein and every other physicist-and before any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-planck/the-highest-court-is-in-the-end-one-s-own-conscience-and-conviction/) [Max Planck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-planck/) > [“My Faith in science is the belief of all that is …"noticeable" ...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesham-nebr/my-faith-in-science-is-the-belief-of-all-that-is-noticeable/) [Hesham Nebr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesham-nebr/) > ["True science has no belief," says Dr. Fenwick, in Bulwer-Lytton's 'Strange Story;' "true science knows but three states of mind: denial, conviction, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-p-blavatsky/true-science-has-no-belief-says-dr-fenwick-in-bulwer-lytton-s-strange/) [H. P. Blavatsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-p-blavatsky/) > [Statistics: The only science that enables different experts using the same figures to draw different conclusions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-esar/statistics-the-only-science-that-enables-different-experts-using-the/) [Evan Esar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-esar/) > [Loyalty is dead, the experts proclaim, and the statistics seem to bear them out. On average, U.S. corporations now lose half their customers in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-reichheld/loyalty-is-dead-the-experts-proclaim-and-the-statistics-seem-to-bear/) Fred Reichheld > [It is necessary for the very existence of science that minds exist which do not allow that nature must satisfy some preconceived conditions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/it-is-necessary-for-the-very-existence-of-science-that-minds-exist/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) ## More by Richard P. Feynman > [“Philosophers have said before that one of the fundamental requisites of science is that whenever you set up the same conditions, the same thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/philosophers-have-said-before-that-one-of-the-fundamental-requisites/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [My rule is, when you are unhappy, think about it. But when you're happy, don't. Why spoil it? You're probably happy for some ridiculous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/my-rule-is-when-you-are-unhappy-think-about-it-but-when-you-re-happy/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [Trying to understand the way nature works involves a most terrible test of human reasoning ability. It involves subtle trickery, beautiful tightropes of logic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/trying-to-understand-the-way-nature-works-involves-a-most-terrible/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [Today's brains are yesterday's mashed potatoes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/today-s-brains-are-yesterday-s-mashed-potatoes/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [Mathematics is a language plus reasoning; it is like a language plus logic. Mathematics is a tool for reasoning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/mathematics-is-a-language-plus-reasoning-it-is-like-a-language-plus/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [It is necessary for the very existence of science that minds exist which do not allow that nature must satisfy some preconceived conditions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/it-is-necessary-for-the-very-existence-of-science-that-minds-exist/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [“There was a Princess Somebody of Denmark sitting at a table with a number of people around her, and I saw an empty chair…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/there-was-a-princess-somebody-of-denmark-sitting-at-a-table-with-a/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [All the time you're saying to yourself, 'I could do that, but I won't,'--which is just another way of saying that you can't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/all-the-time-you-re-saying-to-yourself-i-could-do-that-but-i-won-t/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [“There's a big difference between knowing the name of something and knowing something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/there-s-a-big-difference-between-knowing-the-name-of-something-and/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [The fact that you are not sure means that it is possible that there is another way someday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/the-fact-that-you-are-not-sure-means-that-it-is-possible-that-there/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [You can always recognize truth by its beauty and simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/you-can-always-recognize-truth-by-its-beauty-and-simplicity/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [One cannot understand... the universality of laws of nature, the relationship of things, without an understanding of mathematics. There is no other way to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/one-cannot-understand-the-universality-of-laws-of-nature-the/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [Mathematics is not just a language. Mathematics is a language plus reasoning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/mathematics-is-not-just-a-language-mathematics-is-a-language-plus/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [A poet once said, "The whole universe is in a glass of wine." We will probably never know in what sense he meant that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/a-poet-once-said-the-whole-universe-is-in-a-glass-of-wine-we-will/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [I was a very shy character, always feeling uncomfortable because everybody was stronger than I, and always afraid I would look like a sissy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/i-was-a-very-shy-character-always-feeling-uncomfortable-because/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) [Explore all 515 Richard P. Feynman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) ## More Belief quotes > [“Cine a ucis stelele? Cine a surpat drumul spre viitor al celor din morminte?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ionel-teodoreanu/cine-a-ucis-stelele-cine-a-surpat-drumul-spre-viitor-al-celor-din/) [Ionel Teodoreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ionel-teodoreanu/) > [“MIND & GRIND Self-belief and hard work can propel you past more talented peers”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamil-ali/mind-grind-self-belief-and-hard-work-can-propel-you-past-more/) [Kamil Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamil-ali/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [It took me 20 years of hard training to get the physique I have today. what you need is what i had - BELIEF…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-warren/it-took-me-20-years-of-hard-training-to-get-the-physique-i-have-today/) [Branch Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-warren/) > [“Here is a fundamental difference between the man of faith and the man of unbelief. The unbeliever is 'of the world', judges everything by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/here-is-a-fundamental-difference-between-the-man-of-faith-and-the-man/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [“She herself vacillated when it came to belief. She did not particularly believe in God. Or, rather, she didn't believe in a particular God.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/she-herself-vacillated-when-it-came-to-belief-she-did-not/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [“Rigid traditions capture souls prisons of spiritual thought man’s religion has captured a god grown too small and very weak.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-w-earle/rigid-traditions-capture-souls-prisons-of-spiritual-thought-man-s/) [David W Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-w-earle/) > [We can find common qualities and common values that have made Britain the country it is. Our belief in tolerance and liberty which shines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-brown/we-can-find-common-qualities-and-common-values-that-have-made-britain/) [Gordon Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-brown/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [In business, as in politics, it is never easy to go against the beliefs and attitudes held by the majority. The businessman who moves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-paul-getty/in-business-as-in-politics-it-is-never-easy-to-go-against-the-beliefs/) [J. Paul Getty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-paul-getty/) > [There's no greatest moment in the arts. It's a life; it's a continuity thing. You can't have a great moment because it's spiritual. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-neiman/there-s-no-greatest-moment-in-the-arts-it-s-a-life-it-s-a-continuity/) [LeRoy Neiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-neiman/) > [To preserve an unclouded capacity for the enjoyment of life is an unusual moral and psychological achievement. Contrary to popular belief, it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/to-preserve-an-unclouded-capacity-for-the-enjoyment-of-life-is-an/) [Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/) [Browse all 10,268 Belief quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Science is the belief in the ignorance of experts.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Richard P. 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