That which is not measurable is not science. That which is not physics is stamp collecting.
Ernest RutherfordRead
All science is either physics or stamp collecting.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote implies that all sciences ultimately stem from physics, while some areas are merely about gathering data without deeper understanding.
Ernest Rutherford's quote suggests a hierarchy within the scientific disciplines, arguing that true science revolves around the principles of physics. It contrasts active scientific inquiry with merely collecting facts or data, implying that gathering information without interpretation or underlying principles does not contribute to true scientific understanding. This reflects the importance of fundamental theories that connect different branches of science.
Themes
SciencePhysicsDataUnderstandingKnowledge
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture on the importance of core scientific principles.
More from Ernest Rutherford
All quotes βThe energy produced by the breaking down of the atom is a very poor kind of thing. Anyone who expects a source of power from the transformation of these atoms is talking moonshine.
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I am a great believer in the simplicity of things and as you probably know I am inclined to hang on to broad & simple ideas like grim death until evidence is too strong for my tenacity.
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Now I know what the atom looks like.
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If your result needs a statistician then you should design a better experiment.
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Should a young scientist working with me come to me after two years of such work and ask me what to do next, I would advise him to get out of science. After two years of work, if a man does not know what to do next, he will never make a real scientist.
Ernest RutherfordRead
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