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Accounts Quote by Victor Hugo

“Because a fact seems strange to you, you conclude that it is not one. ... All science, however, commences by being strange. Science is successive. It goes from one wonder to another. It mounts by a ladder. The science of to-day would seem extravagant to the science of a former time. Ptolemy would…” quote by Victor Hugo
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“Because a fact seems strange to you, you conclude that it is not one. ... All science, however, commences by being strange. Science is successive. It goes from one wonder to another. It mounts by a ladder. The science of to-day would seem extravagant to the science of a former time. Ptolemy would believe Newton mad.”

Victor Hugo

About This Quote

Source Letter: “On Science and Wonder”, 1845

Highlights that curiosity drives scientific progress, even when ideas seem odd.

In simple terms: Science starts with strange ideas.

Key Takeaway

Embrace curiosity, question norms.

Themes

science curiosity progress

Mood

inquisitive inspirational

Type

philosophical educational

When to use this quote

  • research
  • education
  • innovation
  • critical thinking

Key Concepts

epistemology paradigm shift

Questions to Reflect On

  • What strange idea could become next breakthrough?
  • How do we balance skepticism and openness?
A Different Perspective

Strangeness may be dismissed as nonsense.

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