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The time has come to realise that an interpretation of the universe—even a positivist one—remains unsatisfying unless it covers the interior as well as the exterior of things; mind as well as matter. The true physics is that which will, one day, achieve the inclusion of man in his wholeness in a coherent picture of the world.
Pierre Teilhard De Chardin
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Understanding the universe requires a balance between the physical and mental aspects of existence.

This quote by Pierre Teilhard De Chardin emphasizes the need for a comprehensive understanding of the universe that encompasses both the physical realm and the inner experiences of the mind. He argues that a truly satisfactory interpretation must harmonize external reality with our subjective consciousness and personal experiences, suggesting that a complete physics should integrate humanity as a vital part of the cosmic picture.

Themes

UniverseMindMatterInterpretationWholenessPhysics

In practice

Example use cases

During a lecture on the relationship between science and spirituality.

More from Pierre Teilhard De Chardin

The whole life lies in the verb seeing.
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Religion and science are the two conjugated faces or phases of one and the same complete act of knowledge - the only one which can embrace the past and future of evolution and so contemplate, measure and fulfil them.
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The mineral world is a much more supple and mobile world than could be imagined by the science of the ancients. Vaguely analogous to the metamorphoses of living creatures, there occurs in the most solid rocks, as we now know, perpetual transformation of a mineral species.
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We may, perhaps, imagine that the creation was finished long ago. But that would be quite wrong. It continues still more magnificently, and at the highest levels of the world.
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Love alone is capable of uniting living beings in such a way as to complete and fulfill them, for it alone takes them and joins them by what is deepest in themselves. All we need is to imagine our ability to love developing until it embraces the totality of men and the earth.
Pierre Teilhard De ChardinRead
If there is one thing I fear less than everything else, it is, I believe, persecution for my opinions. There are a good many points about which I may be diffident, but when it comes to questions of Truth and intellectual independence, there is no holding me - I can envisage no finer end than to sacrifice oneself for a conviction.
Pierre Teilhard De ChardinRead

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