--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: How then did we come to the \"standard…" description: "\"How then did we come to the \"standard model\"? And how has it supplanted other theories, like the steady state model? It is a tribute to the essential o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/874/steven-weinberg-3159_astrophysics_how-then-did-we-come-to-the-standard-mod_1677859.jpg" --- # How then did we come to the "standard model"? And how has… ![“How then did we come to the "standard model"? And how has it supplanted other theories, like the steady state model? It is a tribute to the essential objectivity of modern astrophysics that this consensus has been brought about, not by shifts in philosophical preference or by the influence of…” quote by Steven Weinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/874/steven-weinberg-3159_astrophysics_how-then-did-we-come-to-the-standard-mod_1677859.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/874/steven-weinberg-3159_astrophysics_how-then-did-we-come-to-the-standard-mod_1677859.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/874/steven-weinberg-3159_astrophysics_how-then-did-we-come-to-the-standard-mod_1677859.jpg) > “How then did we come to the "standard model"? And how has it supplanted other theories, like the steady state model? It is a tribute to the essential objectivity of modern astrophysics that this consensus has been brought about, not by shifts in philosophical preference or by the influence of astrophysical mandarins, but by the pressure of empirical data.” [Steven Weinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-weinberg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The development of the Standard Model was driven by empirical evidence, not by philosophical preference or authority. **In simple terms:** Science advances through data, not opinions. Key Takeaway Prioritize evidence over ideology. Themes science methodology history of physics Mood analytical inquisitive Type scientific historical When to use this quote - academic research - policy decisions - public understanding of science - education - media reporting Key Concepts empiricism theory selection Questions to Reflect On - How do we balance data and theory? - What role do consensus and dissent play? A Different Perspective Data can be interpreted in multiple ways, leading to competing models. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Astrophysics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astrophysics/) [Consensus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consensus/) [Data](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/data/) [Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influence/) [Objectivity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objectivity/) [Philosophical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophical/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Preference](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preference/) [Pressure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pressure/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Tribute](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tribute/) ## Related quotes > [Throughout my work, I have assumed that the standard model is correct, and hence, the Higgs boson should be found. Although this is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashoke-sen/throughout-my-work-i-have-assumed-that-the-standard-model-is-correct/) [Ashoke Sen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashoke-sen/) > [The top quark was discovered in 1995 and since then the Higgs has become an because the standard model was incomplete with out it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fabiola-gianotti/the-top-quark-was-discovered-in-1995-and-since-then-the-higgs-has-2/) [Fabiola Gianotti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fabiola-gianotti/) > [Physicists are interested in measuring neutrino properties because they tell us about the structure of the Standard Model, the well-tested theory that describes matter's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-randall/physicists-are-interested-in-measuring-neutrino-properties-because/) [Lisa Randall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-randall/) > [The standard model of particle physics describes forces and particles very well, but when you throw gravity into the equation, it all falls apart.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-randall/the-standard-model-of-particle-physics-describes-forces-and-particles/) [Lisa Randall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-randall/) > [The top quark was discovered in 1995, and since then, the Higgs has become our obsession because the standard model was incomplete without it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fabiola-gianotti/the-top-quark-was-discovered-in-1995-and-since-then-the-higgs-has/) [Fabiola Gianotti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fabiola-gianotti/) > [ Where do we stand today compared to Greece circa 400 B.C.? Today's experiment-driven 'standard model' is not all that dissimilar to Democritus's speculative \[sic\]… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-m-lederman/where-do-we-stand-today-compared-to-greece-circa-400-b-c-today-s/) [Leon M. Lederman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-m-lederman/) > [The stability of what's called the Standard Model of particle physics and its ability to make so many clever predictions with immense precision suggests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-hacking/the-stability-of-what-s-called-the-standard-model-of-particle-physics/) [Ian Hacking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-hacking/) > [“One success of noncommutative geometry is that it leads directly to the standard model of particle physics. As Alain and his colleagues discovered, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-smolin/one-success-of-noncommutative-geometry-is-that-it-leads-directly-to/) [Lee Smolin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-smolin/) > [The standard model gives us an accuracy of ten decimal digits, this is an amazing success that has never been achieved before in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-seiberg/the-standard-model-gives-us-an-accuracy-of-ten-decimal-digits-this-is/) [Nathan Seiberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-seiberg/) > [It's also a reasonable scientific program to look at the dynamics of the standard model and to try to prove from that dynamics that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-lloyd/it-s-also-a-reasonable-scientific-program-to-look-at-the-dynamics-of/) [Seth Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-lloyd/) > [The main thing to understand about the current state of physics is that we have - are in some sense, a kind of victim…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-woit/the-main-thing-to-understand-about-the-current-state-of-physics-is/) [Peter Woit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-woit/) > [“If the standard model is correct, the universe started in a state of high density and temperature, with all matter and radiation forming one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamal-nazrul-islam/if-the-standard-model-is-correct-the-universe-started-in-a-state-of/) [Jamal Nazrul Islam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamal-nazrul-islam/) > [The standard model of particle physics says that the universe consists of a very small number of particles, 12, and a very small number…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/the-standard-model-of-particle-physics-says-that-the-universe/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [“The current crisis in particle physics springs from the fact that the theories have gone beyond the standard model in the last thirty years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-smolin/the-current-crisis-in-particle-physics-springs-from-the-fact-that-the/) [Lee Smolin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-smolin/) > [Reality is what kicks back when you kick it. This is just what physicists do with their particle accelerators. We kick reality and feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-j-stenger/reality-is-what-kicks-back-when-you-kick-it-this-is-just-what/) [Victor J. Stenger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-j-stenger/) ## More by Steven Weinberg > [On balance the moral influence of religion has been awful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-weinberg/on-balance-the-moral-influence-of-religion-has-been-awful/) [Steven Weinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-weinberg/) > [“The apparent strengths of the forces in any field theory depend on two kinds of numerical parameter: the masses (if any) of the particles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-weinberg/the-apparent-strengths-of-the-forces-in-any-field-theory-depend-on/) [Steven Weinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-weinberg/) > [“Many people do simply awful things out of sincere religious belief, not using religion as a cover the way that Saddam Hussein may have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-weinberg/many-people-do-simply-awful-things-out-of-sincere-religious-belief/) [Steven Weinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-weinberg/) > [This is often the way it is in physics - our mistake is not that we take our theories too seriously, but that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-weinberg/this-is-often-the-way-it-is-in-physics-our-mistake-is-not-that-we/) [Steven Weinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-weinberg/) > [With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-weinberg/with-or-without-religion-you-would-have-good-people-doing-good-things/) [Steven Weinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-weinberg/) > [I would say it's a lot easier to develop a decoy system than to develop the intercontinental ballistic missile itself. I would think that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-weinberg/i-would-say-it-s-a-lot-easier-to-develop-a-decoy-system-than-to/) [Steven Weinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-weinberg/) > [Rational argument can be defeated by refusing to argue rationally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-weinberg/rational-argument-can-be-defeated-by-refusing-to-argue-rationally/) [Steven Weinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-weinberg/) > [The universe is an enormous direct product of representations of symmetry groups.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-weinberg/the-universe-is-an-enormous-direct-product-of-representations-of/) [Steven Weinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-weinberg/) > [Its a consequence of the experience of science. As you learn more and more about the universe, you find you can understand more and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-weinberg/its-a-consequence-of-the-experience-of-science-as-you-learn-more-and/) [Steven Weinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-weinberg/) > [Our job in physics is to see things simply, to understand a great many complicated phenomena in a unified way, in terms of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-weinberg/our-job-in-physics-is-to-see-things-simply-to-understand-a-great-many/) [Steven Weinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-weinberg/) > [“Plato and the neo-Platonists taught that the beauty we see in nature is a reflection of the beauty of the ultimate, the nous. For…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-weinberg/plato-and-the-neo-platonists-taught-that-the-beauty-we-see-in-nature/) [Steven Weinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-weinberg/) > [An expert is a person who avoids the small errors while sweeping on to the grand fallacy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-weinberg/an-expert-is-a-person-who-avoids-the-small-errors-while-sweeping-on/) [Steven Weinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-weinberg/) > [If (the antiproton) had not been discovered, the foundations of physics really would have crumbled.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-weinberg/if-the-antiproton-had-not-been-discovered-the-foundations-of-physics/) [Steven Weinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-weinberg/) > [Even though I knew pretty early that I was going to be a scientist, it wasn't the science that interested me in science fiction;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-weinberg/even-though-i-knew-pretty-early-that-i-was-going-to-be-a-scientist-it/) [Steven Weinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-weinberg/) > [If history is any guide at all, it seems to me to suggest that there is a final theory. In this century we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-weinberg/if-history-is-any-guide-at-all-it-seems-to-me-to-suggest-that-there/) [Steven Weinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-weinberg/) [Explore all 137 Steven Weinberg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-weinberg/) ## More Astrophysics quotes > [“The toxicity of medical and industrial gas to the human depends on where it is used. A gas that is regarded as safe in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/the-toxicity-of-medical-and-industrial-gas-to-the-human-depends-on/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“For reasons I have yet to understand, many people don’t like chemicals, which might explain the perennial movement to rid foods of them. 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However, it seems to me that being blessed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michio-kaku/some-people-seek-meaning-in-life-through-personal-gain-through/) [Michio Kaku](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michio-kaku/) > [“The arrow of time obscures memory of both past and future circumstance with innumerable fallacies, the least trivial of which is perception.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashim-shanker/the-arrow-of-time-obscures-memory-of-both-past-and-future/) [Ashim Shanker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashim-shanker/) > [If we restructure things to see that the hero's journey is a degree in astrophysics rather than a journey to star in a reality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/if-we-restructure-things-to-see-that-the-hero-s-journey-is-a-degree/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [It turns out that the history of astrophysics is where we perfected time keeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/it-turns-out-that-the-history-of-astrophysics-is-where-we-perfected/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [I look up at the night sky, and I know that, yes, we are part of this Universe, we are in this Universe, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/i-look-up-at-the-night-sky-and-i-know-that-yes-we-are-part-of-this/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [Anyone who has wrestled knows that it's the hardest thing in the world to do. 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The interplay of these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/in-the-beginning-there-was-physics-physics-describes-how-matter/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [“Filling out the entire electromagnetic spectrum, in order of low-energy and low-frequency to high-energy and high-frequency, we have: radio waves, micro waves, ROYGBIV, ultra…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/filling-out-the-entire-electromagnetic-spectrum-in-order-of-low/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) [Browse all 114 Astrophysics quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astrophysics/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "How then did we come to the \"standard model\"? And how has it supplanted other theories, like the steady state model? 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