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Sometimes the probabilities are very close to certainties, but they're never really certainties
Murray Gell-Mann
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote emphasizes that while some outcomes may seem almost guaranteed, there is always an element of uncertainty involved.

Murray Gell-Mann's quote reminds us that in the realm of probabilities, there are instances where certain outcomes appear almost inevitable; however, it is crucial to acknowledge that absolute certainties do not exist in reality. This highlights the importance of understanding that even in situations where we feel confident, the unpredictable nature of life and science means we must remain open to the possibility of unexpected results.

Themes

ProbabilityCertaintyUncertaintyScienceOutcomes

In practice

Example use cases

In a scientific conference discussing theories and predictions.

More from Murray Gell-Mann

If we look at the way the universe behaves, quantum mechanics gives us fundamental, unavoidable indeterminacy, so that alternative histories of the universe can be assigned probability.
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What is especially striking and remarkable is that in fundamental physics a beautiful or elegant theory is more likely to be right than a theory that is inelegant.
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