3 Hannes Alfven Quotes on Knowledge

Hannes Alfven quotes on knowledge

12. 'The difference between myth and science is the difference between divine inspiration of `unaided reason' on the one hand and theories developed in observational contact with the real world on the other. [It is] the difference between the belief in prophets and critical thinking, between Credo quia absurdum [I believe because it is absurd--Tertullian.] and De omnibus est dubitandum [Everything should be questioned--Descartes.]. To try to write a grand cosmical drama leads necessarily to myth. To try to let knowledge substitute ignorance in increasingly large regions of space and time is science.'

14. 'To try to write a grand cosmical drama leads necessarily to myth. To try to let knowledge substitute ignorance in increasingly larger regions of space and time is science.'

15. 'During Alfven's visit he gave a lecture at the University of Chicago, which was attended by Enrico Fermi. As Alfven described his work, Fermi nodded his head and said, 'Of course.' The next day the entire world of physics said. 'Oh. of course.''