We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn't want to meet.
Stephen HawkingRead
A theory is a good theory if it satisfies two requirements: it must accurately describe a large class of observations on the basis of a model that contains only a few arbitrary elements, and it must make definite predictions about the results of future observations.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A good theory effectively explains many observations with minimal assumptions and predicts future outcomes.
Stephen Hawking's quote emphasizes the criteria for a robust scientific theory. It should not only provide an accurate account of a wide range of phenomena with simplicity but also be able to forecast future observations, thus demonstrating its reliability and usefulness in understanding the natural world.
Themes
TheoryPredictionsObservationsScienceModel
In practice
Example use cases
In a science class, when discussing the importance of theories in explaining natural phenomena.
More from Stephen Hawking
All quotes →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.
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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.
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I was not a good student. I did not spend much time at college; I was too busy enjoying myself.
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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.
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In my opinion, there is no aspect of reality beyond the reach of the human mind.
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