The art of doing mathematics consists in finding that special case which contains all the germs of generality.
David HilbertRead
If one were to bring ten of the wisest men in the world together and ask them what was the most stupid thing in existence, they would not be able to discover anything so stupid as astrology.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote criticizes astrology as a foolish belief despite the wisdom of the world's most knowledgeable people.
David Hilbert suggests that even the collective intelligence of the wisest individuals would not identify anything more foolish than astrology. This statement reflects a strong skepticism regarding astrology, implying that it lacks scientific basis and rationality, and emphasizes the importance of relying on reason and evidence over superstition.
Themes
AstrologyWisdomSkepticismFoolishnessBeliefs
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about the validity of astrology, this quote can be used to argue against superstition.
More from David Hilbert
All quotes →The further a mathematical theory is developed, the more harmoniously and uniformly does its construction proceed, and unsuspected relations are disclosed between hitherto separated branches of the science.
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Wir mussen wissen. Wir werden wissen. We must know. We will know. Inscribed on his tomb in Gilttingen.
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Mathematics is a game played according to certain simple rules with meaningless marks on paper.
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No one shall expel us from the paradise that Cantor has created for us.
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Mathematical science is in my opinion an indivisible whole, an organism whose vitality is conditioned upon the connection of its parts.
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