The undevout astronomer must be mad.
The phenomena of nature, especially those that fall under the inspection of the astronomer, are to be viewed, not only with the usual attention to facts as they occur, but with the eye of reason and experience.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Nature's phenomena should be observed with both factual attention and the insight gained from reason and experience.
William Herschel emphasizes the importance of observing natural phenomena through a dual lens: the straightforward collection of facts and the deeper understanding that comes from reason and past experiences. This approach encourages a more comprehensive understanding of the universe, suggesting that mere observation is not enough; one must also apply critical thinking and learned insights to truly grasp the underlying principles of nature.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture about scientific methodologies, one could quote Herschel to emphasize the importance of critical thinking.
More from William Herschel
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The recent developments in cosmology strongly suggest that the universe may be the ultimate free lunch.
As agonizing a disease as cancer is, I do not think it can be said that our civilization is threatened by it. ... But a very plausible case can be made that our civilization is fundamentally threatened by the lack of adequate fertility control. Exponential increases of population will dominate any arithmetic increases, even those brought about by heroic technological initiatives, in the availability of food and resources, as Malthus long ago realized.
It's quite literally true that we are star dust, in the highest exalted way one can use that phrase. ...I bask in the majesty of the cosmos. I use words, compose sentences that sound like the sentences I hear out of people that had revelation of Jesus, who go on their pilgrimages to Mecca.
I cannot stress often enough that what science is all about is not proving things to be true but proving them to be false.
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Science is complex and chilling. The mathematical language of science is understood by very few. The vistas it presents are scary-an enormous universe ruled by chance and impersonal rules, empty and uncaring, ungraspable and vertiginous. How comfortable to turn instead to a small world, only a few thousand years old, and under God's personal; and immediate care; a world in which you are His peculiar concern.