Has there ever been a society which has died of dissent? Several have died of conformity in our lifetime.
Jacob BronowskiRead
Many theories of the ancient world seem terribly childish today, a hodge-podge of fables and false comparisons.But our theories will seem childish five-hundred years from now.Every theory is based on some analogy, and sooner or later the theory fails because the analogy turns out to be false. A theory in its day helps to solve the problems of the day.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Our current theories may seem flawed in the future, just as ancient theories do today.
Jacob Bronowski reflects on the nature of scientific and philosophical theories, suggesting that what we consider true and rational today may appear naive or misguided in centuries to come. He emphasizes the idea that theories are built on analogies that eventually may prove to be inaccurate, highlighting the evolving understanding of knowledge and the limitations of human reasoning in addressing the complexities of the universe.
Themes
TheoryKnowledgeAnalogyUnderstandingPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
During a scientific conference when discussing the evolution of ideas over time.
More from Jacob Bronowski
All quotes →There is no absolute knowledge. And those who claim it, whether they are scientists or dogmatists, open the door to tragedy.
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To me the most interesting thing about man is that he is an animal who practices art and science and in every known society practices both together.
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A man becomes creative, whether he is an artist or scientist, when he finds a new unity in the variety of nature. He does so by finding a likeness between things which were not thought alike before.
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The values by which we are to survive are not rules for just and unjust conduct, but are those deeper illuminations in whose light justice and injustice, good and evil, means and ends are seen in fearful sharpness of outline.
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The basis for poetry and scientific discovery is the ability to comprehend the unlike in the like and the like in the unlike.
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