Quantum physics thus reveals a basic oneness of the universe.
Erwin SchrodingerRead
I am very astonished that the scientific picture of the real world around me is deficient. It gives a lot of factual information, puts all our experience in a magnificently consistent order, but it is ghastly silent about all and sundry that is really near to our heart, that really matters to us. It cannot tell us a word about red and blue, bitter and sweet, physical pain and physical delight; it knows nothing of beautiful and ugly, good or bad, God and eternity.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Scientific understanding is limited and does not encompass the full spectrum of human experience.
In this quote, Erwin Schrödinger expresses his astonishment at the inadequacy of the scientific framework to fully capture the nuances of human experiences and emotions. While science can provide an extensive and consistent description of the physical world and objective facts, it fails to address the subjective and existential concerns that truly define our lives, such as the concepts of beauty, morality, and the divine, which are foundational to our existence and understanding of meaning.
Themes
SciencePhilosophyExperienceEmotionMeaningExistenceReality
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on the limitations of science in understanding human experience, this quote can highlight the need to consider philosophical perspectives.
More from Erwin Schrodinger
All quotes →A careful analysis of the process of observation in atomic physics has shown that the subatomic particles have no meaning as isolated entities, but can only be understood as interconnections between the preparation of an experiment and the subsequent measurement.
Erwin SchrodingerRead
There is no kind of framework within which we can find consciousness in the plural; this is simply something we construct because of the temporal plurality of individuals, but it is a false construction... The only solution to this conflict insofar as any is available to us at all lies in the ancient wisdom of the Upanishad.
Erwin SchrodingerRead
Vedanta teaches that consciousness is singular, all happenings are played out in one universal consciousness and there is no multiplicity of selves.
Erwin SchrodingerRead
Consciousness is a singular for which there is no plural.
Erwin SchrodingerRead
What we observe as material bodies and forces are nothing but shapes and variations in the structure of space.
Erwin SchrodingerRead
Similar quotes
Today, the degradation of the inner life is symbolized by the fact that the only place sacred from interruption is the private toilet.
Lewis MumfordRead
Scandal sells books; fidelity does not.
Coretta Scott KingRead
The universe, the solar system, and planet earth in themselves and in their evolutionary emergence constitute for the human community the primary revelation of that ultimate mystery whence all things emerge into being.
Thomas BerryRead
When the tyrant has disposed of foreign enemies by conquest...and there is nothing to fear from them, then he is always stirring up some war
PlatoRead
The Flower that once has blown forever dies.
Omar KhayyamRead
The tongue can conceal the truth, but the eyes never! You're asked an unexpected question, you don't even flinch, it takes just a second to get yourself under control, you know just what you have to say to hide the truth, and you speak very convincingly, and nothing in your face twitches to give you away. But the truth, alas, has been disturbed by the question, and it rises up from the depths of your soul to flicker in your eyes and all is lost.
Mikhail BulgakovRead