We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn't want to meet.
Stephen HawkingRead
As scientists, we step on the shoulders of science, building on the work that has come before us - aiming to inspire a new generation of young scientists to continue once we are gone.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Scientists build upon previous knowledge to inspire future generations.
In this quote, Stephen Hawking emphasizes the collaborative nature of scientific progress. Scientists stand on the foundation laid by their predecessors, using past discoveries as a stepping stone to further knowledge and innovation, ultimately inspiring young minds to carry on this legacy after their departure.
Themes
ScienceLegacyKnowledgeInspirationFuture
In practice
Example use cases
During a graduation speech for science students, to emphasize the importance of building on previous knowledge.
More from Stephen Hawking
All quotes →I regard the brain as a computer which will stop working when its components fail. There is no heaven or afterlife for broken down computers; that is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark.
Stephen HawkingRead
It surprises me how disinterested we are today about things like physics, space, the universe and philosophy of our existence, our purpose, our final destination. Its a crazy world out there. Be curious.
Stephen HawkingRead
I was not a good student. I did not spend much time at college; I was too busy enjoying myself.
Stephen HawkingRead
The world has changed far more in the past 100 years than in any other century in history. The reason is not political or economic but technological-technologies that flowed directly from advances in basic science. Clearly, no scientist better represents those advances than Albert Einstein: TIME's Person of the Century.
Stephen HawkingRead
In my opinion, there is no aspect of reality beyond the reach of the human mind.
Stephen HawkingRead
Similar quotes
I was always interested in figuring things out. I'd do experiments, like combining things I found around the house to see what would happen if I put them together.
Alan AldaRead
We can invent as many theories we like, and any one of them can be made to fit the facts. But that theory is always preferred which makes the fewest number of assumptions.
Albert EinsteinRead
It is mere rubbish thinking, at present, of origin of life; one might as well think of origin of matter.
Charles DarwinRead
The idea of a method that contains firm, unchanging, and absolutely binding principles for conducting the business of science meets considerable difficulty when confronted with the results of historical research. We find, then, that there is not a single rule, however plausible, and however firmly grounded in epistemology, that is not violated at some time or another.
Paul FeyerabendRead
Can you imagine, in 2030, taking a space cruise on the very ship that carried the first human beings to Mars? I can't believe that people wouldn't line up for that possibility.
Buzz AldrinRead
Let's get up off our knees, stop cringing before bogeymen and virtual fathers, face reality, and help science to do something constructive about human suffering.
Richard DawkinsRead