Even if I stumble on to the absolute truth of any aspect of the universe, I will not realise my luck and instead will spend my life trying to find flaws in this understanding - such is the role of a scientist.
Brian SchmidtRead
I think a scientist's job is to explore the Universe, to explore the cosmos around us. People always want to know - why is that useful? Well, on just pure fundamental grounds, on some level it's like art, it's like umm, music, it's aesthetics, it's like philosophy. You want to know where you are in the Universe.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses the intrinsic value of scientific exploration as akin to art and philosophy.
In this quote, Brian Schmidt emphasizes the importance of scientific inquiry not merely for practical applications but as a fundamental pursuit that enriches our understanding of existence. He suggests that exploring the universe and cosmos is as fulfilling and necessary as engaging in art or philosophy, highlighting our innate desire to understand our place in the vastness of the universe.
Themes
ScienceUniverseExplorationArtPhilosophyAesthetics
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a scientific community gathering to inspire discussions about the beauty of scientific discovery.
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No science is immune to the infection of politics and the corruption of power. ... The time has come to consider how we might bring about a separation, as complete as possible, between Science and Government in all countries. I call this the disestablishment of science, in the same sense in which the churches have been disestablished and have become independent of the state.
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You have to remember that not every creature that was evolving left behind its skull or its tools for our convenience tens of thousands of years later. Most bones or most tools rot or get buried and are never found again.
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The invention of the scientific method and science is, I'm sure we'll all agree, the most powerful intellectual idea, the most powerful framework for thinking and investigating and understanding and challenging the world around us that there is, and it rests on the premise that any idea is there to be attacked. If it withstands the attack then it lives to fight another day and if it doesn't withstand the attack then down it goes. Religion doesn't seem to work like that.
Douglas AdamsRead