Assumption Quote by Werner Heisenberg
“The exact sciences also start from the assumption that in the end it will always be possible to understand nature, even in every new field of experience, but that we may make no a priori assumptions about the meaning of the word understand.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Physics and Philosophy, Werner Heisenberg, 1958
Science assumes nature can eventually be understood, but without preset definitions of “understand.”
In simple terms: Science seeks knowledge but avoids fixed meanings.
Key Takeaway
Embrace humility in inquiry.
Themes
science
philosophy
humility
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- research
- education
- interdisciplinary work
Key Concepts
epistemology
methodology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we define “understand” in new fields?
- What limits our assumptions?
A Different Perspective
Assuming eventual understanding may overlook unknown unknowns.
![“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)
