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The most remarkable discovery ever made by scientists is science itself. The discovery must be compared in importance with the invention of cave-painting and of writing.
Jacob Bronowski
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Science is the most profound discovery humans have ever made, fundamentally altering our understanding of the world.

In this quote, Jacob Bronowski emphasizes that the act of discovering and developing science is a pivotal achievement in human history, comparable to other transformative milestones such as cave-painting and writing. He suggests that science not only unveils the workings of nature but also represents a critical leap in human intellect and creativity, shaping our culture and understanding of existence.

Themes

ScienceDiscoveryImportanceHuman HistoryCreativity

In practice

Example use cases

In a lecture about the history of human innovation, you could use this quote to highlight the significance of scientific discovery.

More from Jacob Bronowski

Has there ever been a society which has died of dissent? Several have died of conformity in our lifetime.
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There is no absolute knowledge. And those who claim it, whether they are scientists or dogmatists, open the door to tragedy.
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To me the most interesting thing about man is that he is an animal who practices art and science and in every known society practices both together.
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A man becomes creative, whether he is an artist or scientist, when he finds a new unity in the variety of nature. He does so by finding a likeness between things which were not thought alike before.
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The values by which we are to survive are not rules for just and unjust conduct, but are those deeper illuminations in whose light justice and injustice, good and evil, means and ends are seen in fearful sharpness of outline.
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The basis for poetry and scientific discovery is the ability to comprehend the unlike in the like and the like in the unlike.
Jacob BronowskiRead

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