Clear Quote by Werner Heisenberg
“Every word or concept, clear as it may seem to be, has only a limited range of applicability.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Physics and Philosophy, Werner Heisenberg, 1958
Ideas work well only within certain limits; beyond that they lose relevance.
In simple terms: Ideas have limited applicability.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and respect limits of concepts.
Themes
knowledge
limitations
context
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- teaching
- research
- design
- policy making
Key Concepts
epistemology
scope
boundary
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you test a concept's limits?
- When should you discard a failing idea?
A Different Perspective
Ideas may be misapplied if context ignored.
![“It was about three o'clock at night when the final result of the calculation [which gave birth to quantum mechanics] lay before me ... At first I was deeply shaken ... I was so excited that I could not think of sleep. So I left the house ... and awaited the sunrise on top of a rock.” quote by Werner Heisenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bba/werner-heisenberg-4501_birth_it-was-about-three-o-clock-at-night-when_265746.jpg)
![“We have no clear ideas of the agency of [demonic] spirits, nor is it necessary. The Scripture says little to satisfy our curiosity; but tells us plainly that he is always watching us, and desiring to sift us as wheat. I believe we give him no more than his due, when we charge him with having a…” quote by John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c75/john-newton-6629_abundance_we-have-no-clear-ideas-of-the-agency-of_2907.jpg)
![“I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect [Donald Trump], or then-president [Barack Obama]. But it's - I'm very clear. I voted for the change that put the Army Field Manual in place as a member of Congress. I understand that law very, very quickly and am also deeply aware…” quote by James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/761/james-mattis-9515_army_i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-th_3990.jpg)