Science attempts to find logic and simplicity in nature. Mathematics attempts to establish order and simplicity in human thought.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the pursuit of simplicity and order in both nature through science and in human thought through mathematics.
Edward Teller points out the parallel efforts of science and mathematics in their quests for understanding. Science seeks to uncover the underlying logic and simplicity present in the natural world, while mathematics strives to impose a structure and clarity on human reasoning, suggesting that both fields aim for an elegant and coherent worldview that simplifies complexity.
In practice
In a lecture about the importance of STEM education, I quoted, 'Science attempts to find logic and simplicity in nature.'
In the history of physics, there have been three great revolutions in thought that first seemed absurd yet proved to be true. The first proposed that the earth, instead of being stationary, was moving around at a great and variable speed in a universe that is much bigger than it appears to our immediate perception. That proposal, I believe, was first made by Aristarchos two millenia ago ... Remarkably enough, the name Aristarchos in Greek means best beginning.
The science of today is the technology of tomorrow.
The scientist is not responsible for the laws of nature. It is his job to find out how these laws operate. It is the scientist's job to find the ways in which these laws can serve the human will. However, it is not the scientist's job to determine whether a hydrogen bomb should be constructed, whether it should be used, or how it should be used. This responsibility rests with the American people and with their chosen representatives.
Today, nothing is unusual about a scientific discovery's being followed soon after by a technical application: The discovery of electrons led to electronics; fission led to nuclear energy. But before the 1880's, science played almost no role in the advances of technology. For example, James Watt developed the first efficient steam engine long before science established the equivalence between mechanical heat and energy.
Secrecy, once accepted, becomes an addiction.
No endeavor that is worthwhile is simple in prospect; if it is right, it will be simple in retrospect.
Africa needs roads. Roads bring know-how and fertilizer to farmers and ideas and business for commerce.
I believe there are no questions that science can't answer about a physical universe.
We live in the hope and faith that, by the advance of molecular physics, we shall by-and-by be able to see our way as clearly from the constituents of water to the properties of water, as we are now able to deduce the operations of a watch from the form of its parts and the manner in which they are put together.
The sciences, even the best,-mathematics and astronomy,-are like sportsmen, who seize whatever prey offers, even without being able to make any use of it.
You look at science fiction and look how often it talks about being alien, being alienated about the other. Look at the number of blue people - 'Avatar,' I'm looking at you. And it is now easier to find people of color in science-fiction literature and media, but the issues of representation are still really, really troubling.
Armstrong described the lunar surface as 'beautiful.' I thought to myself, 'It's not really beautiful. It's magnificent that we're here, but what a desolate place we are visiting.'
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.