Whether in the intellectual pursuits of science or in the mystical pursuits of the spirit, the light beckons ahead, and the purpose surging in our nature responds.
Arthur EddingtonRead
In the world of physics we watch a shadowgraph performance of the drama of familiar life. The shadow of my elbow rests on the shadow table as the shadow ink flows over the shadow paper. It is all symbolic, and as a symbol the physicist leaves it. ... The frank realisation that physical science is concerned with a world of shadows is one of the most significant of recent advances.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the idea that our understanding of reality, especially in physics, is merely an interpretation of underlying truths.
Arthur Eddington's quote emphasizes that the realm of physical science reveals a deeper, often abstract, representation of reality. He suggests that what we perceive as the physical world is akin to shadows cast by the true nature of existence, highlighting the limitations of our understanding and the symbolic nature of scientific inquiry. Eddington argues that recognizing this distinction is crucial for grasping the complexities of life and the universe.
Themes
PhysicsRealitySymbolismUnderstandingScience
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture on physics, I can use this quote to discuss the philosophical implications of scientific observation.
More from Arthur Eddington
All quotes βThe physical world is entirely abstract and without actuality apart from its linkage to consciousness.
Arthur EddingtonRead
It is one thing for the human mind to extract from the phenomena of nature the laws which it has itself put into them; it may be a far harder thing to extract laws over which it has no control. It is even possible that laws which have not their origin in the mind may be irrational, and we can never succeed in formulating them.
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Whatever else there may be in our nature, responsibility toward truth is one of its attributes.
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So far as physics is concerned, time's arrow is a property of entropy alone.
Arthur EddingtonRead
A star is drawing on some vast reservoir of energy by means unknown to us. This reservoir can scarcely be other than the subatomic energy which, it is known exists abundantly in all matter; we sometimes dream that man will one day learn how to release it and use it for his service. The store is well nigh inexhaustible, if only it could be tapped. There is sufficient in the Sun to maintain its output of heat for 15 billion years.
Arthur EddingtonRead
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