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Classical modern science described only the surface of things, a single dimension of reality. And the more dogmatically science treated it as the only dimension, as the very essence of reality, the more misleading it became. Today, for instance, we may know immeasurably more about the universe than our ancestors did, and yet, it increasingly seems they knew something more essential about it than we do, something that escapes us.

Vaclav Havel#94

TruthScienceWisdomRealityKnowledge

About this quote

What does it mean?
Havel suggests that modern science focuses on surface dimensions while missing deeper essential truths known to ancestors.
In plain terms
Science knows more data but maybe less essential truth than ancestors.
What can you take from it?
Seek deeper truths beyond surface science.

Where it applies

  • scientific critique
  • philosophical inquiry
  • education

Putting it to work

  • value qualitative wisdom
  • question scientific limits

Questions to consider

  • What essential truths are we missing today?
  • How do you balance data with wisdom?

Another view

Scientific progress has delivered undeniable material benefits.

More from Vaclav Havel

  1. The relationship to the world that the modern science fostered and shaped now appears to have exhausted its potential. It is increasingly clear that, strangely…

    Permalink to quote #93
  2. There appear to be no integrating forces, no unified meaning, no true inner understanding of phenomena in our experience of the world. Experts can explain anyt…

    Permalink to quote #95
  3. This is related to the crisis, or to the transformation, of science as the basis of the modern conception of the world. The dizzying development of this scienc…

    Permalink to quote #92

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