--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To me it is unthinkable that a real…" description: "\"To me it is unthinkable that a real atheist could be a scientist.\" — Robert Andrews Millikan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8b/robert-andrews-millikan-21380_atheism_to-me-it-is-unthinkable-that-a-real-athe_704802.png" --- # To me it is unthinkable that a real atheist could be a… ![“To me it is unthinkable that a real atheist could be a scientist.” quote by Robert Andrews Millikan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8b/robert-andrews-millikan-21380_atheism_to-me-it-is-unthinkable-that-a-real-athe_704802.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8b/robert-andrews-millikan-21380_atheism_to-me-it-is-unthinkable-that-a-real-athe_704802.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d8b/robert-andrews-millikan-21380_atheism_to-me-it-is-unthinkable-that-a-real-athe_704802.png) > “To me it is unthinkable that a real atheist could be a scientist.” [Robert Andrews Millikan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-andrews-millikan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker doubts that a true atheist can also practice science, implying a conflict between belief and scientific inquiry. **In simple terms:** Atheists can't be scientists. Key Takeaway Question personal beliefs about science. Themes science belief identity Mood skeptical thoughtful Type philosophical controversial When to use this quote - academic debate - personal reflection - education policy - public discourse Key Concepts philosophy of science faith vs reason Questions to Reflect On - Do personal beliefs affect scientific objectivity? - Can one separate faith from empirical work? A Different Perspective Some scientists are atheists and excel; belief is not required for scientific rigor. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Atheist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheist/) [Atheist Scientist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheist-scientist-5572936/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Real Atheist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-atheist-1830895/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Scientist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scientist/) [Unthinkable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unthinkable/) [Unthinkable Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unthinkable-real-5572937/) ## Related quotes > [“Real atheist is not the one that does not believe in an imaginary big monkey, but the one that gives the imagination more importance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/real-atheist-is-not-the-one-that-does-not-believe-in-an-imaginary-big/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [If you can remain as an atheist in a falling plane, then it means you are a real atheist!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/if-you-can-remain-as-an-atheist-in-a-falling-plane-then-it-means-you/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Its a consequence of the experience of science. 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The glib supposition of utilizing atomic energy when our coal has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-andrews-millikan/there-is-no-likelihood-man-can-ever-tap-the-power-of-the-atom-the/) [Robert Andrews Millikan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-andrews-millikan/) > [One of the chief inhibitions to human progress arises because of the extreme slowness with which the advances in knowledge become translated into action…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-andrews-millikan/one-of-the-chief-inhibitions-to-human-progress-arises-because-of-the/) [Robert Andrews Millikan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-andrews-millikan/) > [The fact that Science walks forward on two feet, namely theory and experiment, is nowhere better illustrated than in the two fields for slight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-andrews-millikan/the-fact-that-science-walks-forward-on-two-feet-namely-theory-and/) [Robert Andrews Millikan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-andrews-millikan/) > [Civilization consists in the multiplication and refinement of human wants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-andrews-millikan/civilization-consists-in-the-multiplication-and-refinement-of-human/) [Robert Andrews Millikan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-andrews-millikan/) > [The pathetic thing about it is that many scientists are trying to prove the doctrine of evolution, which no science can do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-andrews-millikan/the-pathetic-thing-about-it-is-that-many-scientists-are-trying-to/) [Robert Andrews Millikan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-andrews-millikan/) > [There is no likelihood that man can ever tap the power of the atom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-andrews-millikan/there-is-no-likelihood-that-man-can-ever-tap-the-power-of-the-atom/) [Robert Andrews Millikan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-andrews-millikan/) > [Science walks forward on two feet, namely theory and experiment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-andrews-millikan/science-walks-forward-on-two-feet-namely-theory-and-experiment/) [Robert Andrews Millikan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-andrews-millikan/) > [We have been forced to admit for the first time in history not only the possibility of the fact of the growth and decay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-andrews-millikan/we-have-been-forced-to-admit-for-the-first-time-in-history-not-only/) [Robert Andrews Millikan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-andrews-millikan/) > [Cultivate the habit of attention and try to gain opportunities to hear wise men and women talk. Indifference and inattention are the two most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-andrews-millikan/cultivate-the-habit-of-attention-and-try-to-gain-opportunities-to/) [Robert Andrews Millikan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-andrews-millikan/) > [The purpose of science is to develop, without prejudice or preconception of any kind, a knowledge of the facts, the laws, and the processes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-andrews-millikan/the-purpose-of-science-is-to-develop-without-prejudice-or/) [Robert Andrews Millikan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-andrews-millikan/) > [Interest and attention will insure to you an education.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-andrews-millikan/interest-and-attention-will-insure-to-you-an-education/) [Robert Andrews Millikan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-andrews-millikan/) > [Fullness of knowledge always and necessarily means some understanding of the depths of our ignorance, and that is always conducive to both humility and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-andrews-millikan/fullness-of-knowledge-always-and-necessarily-means-some-understanding/) [Robert Andrews Millikan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-andrews-millikan/) > [I conceive the essential task of religion to be "to develop the consciences, the ideals, and the aspirations of mankind".](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-andrews-millikan/i-conceive-the-essential-task-of-religion-to-be-to-develop-the/) [Robert Andrews Millikan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-andrews-millikan/) > [From that night on, the electron-up to that time largely the plaything of the scientist-had clearly entered the field as a potent agent in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-andrews-millikan/from-that-night-on-the-electron-up-to-that-time-largely-the-plaything/) [Robert Andrews Millikan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-andrews-millikan/) [Explore all 29 Robert Andrews Millikan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-andrews-millikan/) ## More Atheism quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. 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Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [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/) > [God speaks through me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/god-speaks-through-me/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/a-knowledge-of-the-existence-of-something-we-cannot-penetrate-of-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [You cannot ... transmute some incoherent mixture of words into sense merely by introducing the three-letter word "God" to be its grammatical subject.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-flew/you-cannot-transmute-some-incoherent-mixture-of-words-into-sense/) [Antony Flew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-flew/) > [Many humanists have argued that happiness involves a combination of hedonism and creative moral development; that an exuberant life fuses excellence and enjoyment, meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kurtz/many-humanists-have-argued-that-happiness-involves-a-combination-of/) [Paul Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kurtz/) > [If, with all the time at my disposal, with all the wealth of the resources of this vast universe, to do with as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/if-with-all-the-time-at-my-disposal-with-all-the-wealth-of-the/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [Do you think that was kind? 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