Quote #14

Motion with respect to the universal ocean of aether eludes us. We say, 'Let V be the velocity of a body through the aether', and form the various electromagnetic equations in which V is scattered liberally. Then we insert the observed values, and try to eliminate everything which is unknown except V. The solution goes on famously; but just as we have got rid of all the other unknowns, behold! V disappears as well, and we are left with the indisputable but irritating conclusion -

More from Arthur Stanley Eddington

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  2. Shuffling is the only thing which Nature cannot undo.
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  4. If someone points out to you that your pet theory of the universe is in disagreement with Maxwell's equations - then so much the worse for …
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  6. Never mind what two tons refers to. What is it? How has it entered in so definite a way into our exprerience? Two tons is the reading of th…
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  8. Schrodinger's wave-mechanics is not a physical theory, but a dodge - and a very good dodge too.

All Arthur Stanley Eddington quotes