Gravity Quote by Thomas S. Kuhn
““Gravity, interpreted as an innate attraction between every pair of particles of matter, was an occult quality in the same sense as the scholastics' "tendency to fall" had been””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, 1962
He argues that gravity was once seen as an occult, mysterious quality, similar to medieval explanations of falling.
In simple terms: Gravity once seemed mysterious, like old “tendency to fall”.
Recognize that scientific concepts evolve over time.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- academic lecture
- science education
- philosophical debate
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What current theories might seem occult to future scientists?
- How do metaphors shape scientific understanding?
Modern physics may oversimplify past explanations.