Wolfgang Pauli Quotes on Science

9 quotes

  1. When one analyzes the pre-conscious step to concepts, one always finds ideas which consist of 'symbolic images.' The first step to thinking is a painted vision of these inner pictures whose origin cannot be reduced only and firstly to the sensual perception but which are produced by an 'instinct to imagining' and which are re-produced by different individuals independently, i.e. collectively... But the archaic image is also the necessary predisposition and the source of a scientific attitude. To a total recognition belong also those images out of which have grown the rational concepts.

  2. It is always the older that emanates the new one.

  3. 'The designation 'Jungian Psychology' is actually already unscientific sectarianism. I only acknowledge C.G. Jung's contribution to the general psychology of the unconscious.

  4. There is no god and Dirac is his messenger. (German: Es gibt keinen Gott und Dirac ist sein Prophet.)

  5. Comment on Heisenberg's radio advertisement. 'This is to show that I can paint like Titian.' (A big drawing of a rectangle) 'Only technical details are missing.'

  6. I don't mind your thinking slowly; I mind your publishing faster than you think.

    #12 Attribution disputed; shown as originally published.
  7. If I understand Dirac correctly, his meaning is this: there is no God, and Dirac is his Prophet.

  8. This paper is so bad it is not even wrong.

  9. The deepest pleasure in science comes from finding an instantiation, a home, for some deeply felt, deeply held image.

All Wolfgang Pauli quotes