QuoteProject
In real time, the universe has a beginning and an end at singularities that form a boundary to space-time and at which the laws of science break down.
Stephen Hawking
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote discusses the boundaries of our understanding of the universe, specifically at its beginnings and ends where current scientific laws fail.

Stephen Hawking's quote reflects on the nature of the universe, explaining that there are points, known as singularities, where traditional physics and science cannot adequately describe what occurs. These singularities represent the limits of our knowledge and the framework of space-time, suggesting that understanding the full nature of the universe involves grappling with these mysterious boundaries.

Themes

UniverseSingularitiesSpace-TimeScienceKnowledge

In practice

Example use cases

In a lecture about the cosmos, one might reference this quote to emphasize the limits of our current scientific understanding.

More from Stephen Hawking

We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn't want to meet.
Stephen HawkingRead
I regard the brain as a computer which will stop working when its components fail. There is no heaven or afterlife for broken down computers; that is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark.
Stephen HawkingRead
It surprises me how disinterested we are today about things like physics, space, the universe and philosophy of our existence, our purpose, our final destination. Its a crazy world out there. Be curious.
Stephen HawkingRead
I was not a good student. I did not spend much time at college; I was too busy enjoying myself.
Stephen HawkingRead
The world has changed far more in the past 100 years than in any other century in history. The reason is not political or economic but technological-technologies that flowed directly from advances in basic science. Clearly, no scientist better represents those advances than Albert Einstein: TIME's Person of the Century.
Stephen HawkingRead
In my opinion, there is no aspect of reality beyond the reach of the human mind.
Stephen HawkingRead

Similar quotes

I suppose I can live with missing decimals, missing floors to tall buildings, and floors that are named instead of numbered. A more serious problem is the limited capacity of the human mind to grasp the relative magnitudes of large numbers. Counting at the rate of one number per second...to count to a trillion takes 32,000 years, which is as much time as has elapsed since people first drew on cave walls.
Neil Degrasse TysonRead
I have called this principle, by which each slight variation, if useful, is preserved, by the term of Natural Selection.
Charles DarwinRead
As well might it be said that, because we are ignorant of the laws by which metals are produced and trees developed, we cannot know anything of the origin of steamships and railways
Alfred Russel WallaceRead
Economic and technical imperatives - not any preconceived directives - will keep propelling the process of energy transition.
Vaclav SmilRead
In fourth grade, I was interested in all areas of science. I particularly loved learning about how the earth was created.
Mae JemisonRead
We went to the Moon as technicians; we returned as humanitarians.
Edgar MitchellRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.

Quote by Stephen Hawking | QuoteProject