Science is a way to not fool ourselves.
Carl SaganRead
There is a lurking fear that some things are not “meant" to be known, that some inquiries are too dangerous for human beings to make.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the idea that some knowledge may be too perilous for humanity to pursue.
Carl Sagan expresses a cautionary perspective on the limits of human inquiry, suggesting that there are certain truths or areas of knowledge that may be inherently dangerous or detrimental for us to explore. This perspective invites a reflection on the ethical implications of scientific exploration and the responsibilities that come with acquiring knowledge.
Themes
KnowledgeFearInquiryDangerTruth
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about ethical boundaries in scientific research.
More from Carl Sagan
All quotes →In more than one respect, the exploring of the Solar System and homesteading other worlds constitutes the beginning, much more than the end, of history.
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How smart does a chimpanzee have to be before killing him constitutes murder?
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The hole in the ozone layer is a kind of skywriting. At first it seemed to spell out our continuing complacency before a witch's brew of deadly perils. But perhaps it really tells of a newfound talent to work together to protect the global environment.
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There is a reward structure in science that is very interesting: Our highest honors go to those who disprove the findings of the most revered among us. So Einstein is revered not just because he made so many fundamental contributions to science, but because he found an imperfection in the fundamental contribution of Isaac Newton.
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The simplest thought, like the concept of the number one, has an elaborate logical underpinning.
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