Astronomy is perhaps the science whose discoveries owe least to chance, in which human understanding appears in its whole magnitude, and through which man can best learn how small he is.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Lichtenberg argues that astronomy reveals human insignificance through its discoveries, grounding our understanding of scale.
- In plain terms
- Studying the stars shows how small we truly are.
- What can you take from it?
- Science teaches humility.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does knowledge humble you?
- What makes you feel small?
Another view
Science also empowers humanity.
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