Quote#World
The external world of physics has thus become a world of shadows. In…
Quote byArthur Eddington · 1882–1944
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: The Nature of the Physical World (1928), Introduction.
English (original)
The external world of physics has thus become a world of shadows. In removing our illusions we have removed the substance, for indeed we have seen that substance is one of the greatest of our illusions.
— Arthur Eddington
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We do not argue with the critic who urges that the stars are not hot enough for this process; we tell him to go and find a hotter place.
At terrestrial temperatures matter has complex properties which are likely to prove most difficult to unravel; but it is reasonable to hope that in the not too distant future we shall be competent to understand so simple a thing as a star.
The present revolution of scientific thought follows in natural sequence on the great revolutions at earlier epochs in the history of science
These earlier revolutions are still a source of perplexity in childhood, which we soon outgrow; and a time will come when Einstein's amazing revelations have likewise sunk into the commonplaces of educated thought.
Physics has in the main contented itself with studying the abridged edition of the book of nature.
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