While the finish given to our picture of the world by the theory of relativity has already been absorbed into the general scientific consciousness, this has scarcely occurred to the same extent with those aspects of the general problem of knowledge which have been elucidated by the quantum theory.
Interpretation
Niels Bohr suggests that while relativity is widely accepted in understanding the universe, quantum theory's implications for knowledge remain less understood.
In this quote, Niels Bohr reflects on the contrasting acceptance of two foundational theories in physics: relativity and quantum theory. He points out that although the implications of relativity have become well-integrated into scientific understanding and common consciousness, the deeper philosophical and conceptual challenges posed by quantum theory have not yet been fully realized or appreciated by society at large, emphasizing a gap in understanding the nature of knowledge itself.
In practice
In a lecture about the implications of quantum mechanics on modern science.
When asked ... [about] an underlying quantum world, Bohr would answer, 'There is no quantum world. There is only an abstract quantum physical description. It is wrong to think that the task of physics is to find out how nature is. Physics concerns what we can say about Nature.'
An independant reality in the ordinary physical sense can neither be ascribed to the phenomenon nor to the agencies of observation.
An expert is a man who has made all the mistakes which can be made, in a narrow field.
Those who are not shocked when they first come across quantum theory cannot possibly have understood it.
When searching for harmony in life one must never forget that in the drama of existence we are ourselves both actors and spectators.
And anyone who thinks they can talk about quantum theory without feeling dizzy hasn't yet understood the first thing about it.
We must expect the discovery of many as yet unknown elements-for example, elements analogous to aluminum and silicon- whose atomic weight would be between 65 and 75.
If the history-deniers who doubt the fact of evolution are ignorant of biology, those who think the world began less than ten thousand years ago are worst than ignorant, they are the deluded to the point of perversity.
All sorts of computer errors are now turning up. You'd be surprised to know the number of doctors who claim they are treating pregnant men.
The greatest explorer of recent decades is not even human.
No science is immune to the infection of politics and the corruption of power. ... The time has come to consider how we might bring about a separation, as complete as possible, between Science and Government in all countries. I call this the disestablishment of science, in the same sense in which the churches have been disestablished and have become independent of the state.
Nobody ever told us all matter radiated. We just assumed it did.
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