Assuming Quote by Thomas Nagel
“Humans are addicted to the hope for a final reckoning, but intellectual humility requires that we resist the temptation to assume that tools of the kind we now have are in principle sufficient to understand the universe as a whole.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Limits of scientific understanding, 2005
Humans crave a final reckoning, but humility demands we recognize current tools may be insufficient to grasp the whole universe.
In simple terms: Science may not fully explain everything.
Embrace humility in knowledge.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- research
- policy making
- education
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the limits of our tools?
- How does humility shape scientific inquiry?
Overconfidence can mislead science.