Do not imagine that mathematics is hard and crabbed, and repulsive to common sense. It is merely the etherealization of common sense.
Lord KelvinRead
If you study science deep enough and long enough, it will force you to believe in God.
Interpretation
The more one delves into science, the more one may find evidence of a higher power.
This quote by Lord Kelvin suggests that a profound and thorough understanding of science leads to a realization or belief in a greater divine presence. It implies that the complexities, order, and mysteries elucidated by scientific study reflect a design that points towards a Creator, bridging the gap between empirical evidence and spiritual belief.
In practice
In a speech on the importance of science and faith.
Do not imagine that mathematics is hard and crabbed, and repulsive to common sense. It is merely the etherealization of common sense.
We only know God in His works, but we are forced by science to admit and to believe with absolute confidence in a Directive Power-in an influence other than physical, or dynamical, or electrical forces.
In science there is only physics; all the rest is stamp collecting.
There is nothing new to be discovered in physics now. All that remains is more and more precise measurement.
Let nobody be afraid of true freedom of thought. Let us be free in thought and criticism; but, with freedom, we are bound to come to the conclusion that science is not antagonistic to religion, but a help to it.
I need scarcely say that the beginning and maintenance of life on earth is absolutely and infinitely beyond the range of all sound speculation in dynamical science. The only contribution of dynamics to theoretical biology is absolute negation of automatic commencement or automatic maintenance of life.
Although the theory of relativity makes the greatest of demands on the ability for abstract thought, still it fulfills the traditional requirements of science insofar as it permits a division of the world into subject and object (observer and observed) and, hence, a clear formulation of the law of causality.
Relativity is a purely scientific matter and has nothing to do with religion.
We have such a terrible, terrible misconception of science. We think it involves the definite, the precise, the known; it is a horrid series of gates to an unknown as vast of the universe; which means endless.
There can sometimes be this fear among laypeople: 'I don't understand everything in science perfectly, so I just can't say anything about it.' I think it's good to know that we scientists are also confused some of the time.
A scientist who is also a human being cannot rest while knowledge which might be used to reduce suffering rests on the shelf.
Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure Science.
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