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Aristotelian , Euclidian [line, space, length] and Newtonian [speed of light] systems... have a few unjustified infinities too many: when such an infinity is introduced into the denominator, it makes the whole expression vanish. In other words, faulty, insufficient observations leads to the introduction of ... fanciful 'infinities'.

Alfred Korzybski#30

ScienceTheoryDataInfinityMathMathematicsObservationPhysics

About this quote

What does it mean?
Old scientific models often rely on infinite assumptions that break equations when placed in denominators, showing how weak data creates false mathematical ideals.
In plain terms
Faulty observations lead to unrealistic infinite values that make calculations fail.
What can you take from it?
Check your assumptions to avoid mathematical breakdowns.

Where it applies

  • scientific research
  • theoretical physics
  • data analysis

Putting it to work

  • reviewing model assumptions
  • validating mathematical limits

Questions to consider

  • What infinite assumptions exist in your field?
  • How do you test for faulty observations?

Another view

Some infinities in math are useful tools rather than errors.

More from Alfred Korzybski

  1. It would be interesting to see the Behaviorists deny that the writing of a mathematical treatise, or of some new theory of quantum mechanics represents a form …

    Permalink to quote #29
  2. The Non-Aristotelian, Non-Euclidian, and Non-Newtonian trilogy is more general than Aristotelian, Euclidian, and Newtonian trilogy... because the older systems…

    Permalink to quote #31
  3. ...provided we could define all terms. But this is impossible... We thus see that all linguistic schemes, if analyzed far enough, would depend on undefined ter…

    Permalink to quote #28

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