Art is the imposing of a pattern on experience. Alfred North Whitehead More Quotes by Alfred North Whitehead More Quotes From Alfred North Whitehead In the history of the world the prize has not gone to those species which specialized in methods of violence, or even in defensive armor. In fact, nature began with producing animals encased in hard shells for defense against the ill of life. But smaller animals, without external armor, warm-blooded, sensitive, alert, have cleared those monsters off the face of the earth. Alfred North Whitehead earth animal world Seek simplicity, and distrust it. Alfred North Whitehead simplicity creativity science Human life is driven forward by its dim apprehension of notions too general for its existing language. Alfred North Whitehead progress evolution language Inventive genius requires pleasurable mental activity as a condition for its vigorous exercise. "Necessity is the mother of invention" is a silly proverb. "Necessity is the mother of futile dodges" is much closer to the truth. The basis of growth of modern invention is science, and science is almost wholly the outgrowth of pleasurable intellectual curiosity. Alfred North Whitehead mother exercise silly Rationalism is an adventure in the clarification of thought. Alfred North Whitehead rationalism clarification adventure Education which is not modern share the fate of all organic things which are kept too long. Alfred North Whitehead fate education long I consider Christianity to be one of the great disasters of the human race... It would be impossible to imagine anything more un - Christianlike than theology. Alfred North Whitehead race would-be religion Without adventure civilization is in full decay. Alfred North Whitehead adventure civilization travel Religion is the vision of something which stands beyond, behind, and within, the passing flux of immediate things; something which is real, and yet waiting to be realised; something which is a remote possibility, and yet the greatest of present facts; something that gives meaning to all that passes, and yet eludes apprehension; something whose possession is the final good, and yet is beyond all reach; something which is the ultimate ideal, and the hopeless quest. Alfred North Whitehead real waiting giving Art is the imposing of a pattern on experience, and our aesthetic enjoyment is recognition of the pattern. Alfred North Whitehead recognition patterns art The aim of science is to seek the simplest explanation of complex facts. We are apt to fall into the error of thinking that the facts are simple because simplicity is the goal of our quest. The guiding motto in the life of every natural philosopher should be ``Seek simplicity and distrust it.'' Alfred North Whitehead simple science fall What is morality in any given time or place? It is what the majority then and there happen to like and immorality is what they dislike. Alfred North Whitehead majority truth time The 'silly question' is the first intimation of some totally novel development. Alfred North Whitehead creativity silly ideas Learning is often spoken of as if we are watching the open pages of all the books which we have ever read, and then, when occasion arises, we select the right page to read aloud to the universe. Alfred North Whitehead select pages book True courage is not the brutal force of vulgar heroes, but the firm resolve of virtue and reason. Alfred North Whitehead hero bravery courage Philosophy is the product of wonder. Alfred North Whitehead products wonder philosophy Nobody has a right to speak more clearly than he thinks. Alfred North Whitehead speech speak thinking ...the only simplicity to be trusted is the simplicity to be found on the far side of complexity. Alfred North Whitehead simplicity found sides The safest general characterization of the European philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato. Alfred North Whitehead philosophical plato knowledge The guiding motto in the life of every natural philosopher should be, seek simplicity and distrust it. Alfred North Whitehead philosopher motto simplicity
