Asked in 1919 whether it was true that only three people in the world understood the theory of general relativity, [Eddington] allegedly replied: "Who's the third?" Arthur Eddington More Quotes by Arthur Eddington More Quotes From Arthur Eddington It is a primitive form of thought that things exist or do not exist. Arthur Eddington primitive form I don't believe any experiment until it is confirmed by theory. I find this is a witty inversion of "conventional" wisdom. Arthur Eddington theory witty believe What is possible in the Cavendish Laboratory may not be too difficult in the sun. Arthur Eddington difficult sun may Don't believe the results of experiments until they're confirmed by theory. Arthur Eddington results theory believe The electron, as it leaves the atom, crystallises out of Schrodinger's mist like a genie emerging from his bottle. Arthur Eddington atoms bottles science I am aware that many critics consider the conditions in the stars not sufficiently extreme . . . the stars are not hot enough. The critics lay themselves open to an obvious retort: we tell them to go and find a hotter place. Arthur Eddington stars enough hot Our model of Nature should not be like a building-a handsome structure for the populace to admire, until in the course of time some one takes away a corner stone and the edifice comes toppling down. It should be like an engine with movable parts. We need not fix the position of any one lever; that is to be adjusted from time to time as the latest observations indicate. The aim of the theorist is to know the train of wheels which the lever sets in motion-that binding of the parts which is the soul of the engine. Arthur Eddington soul science knowledge Electrical force is defined as something which causes motion of electrical charge; an electrical charge is something which exerts electric force. Arthur Eddington force causes science A hundred thousand million Stars make one Galaxy; A hundred thousand million Galaxies make one Universe. The figures may not be very trustworthy, but I think they give a correct impression. Arthur Eddington stars science thinking Never accept a fact until it has been verified by theory. Arthur Eddington accepting theory facts In any attempt to bridge the domains of experience belonging to the spiritual and physical sides of nature, time occupies the key position. Arthur Eddington keys bridges spiritual Oh leave the Wise our measures to collate. One thing at least is certain, light has weight. One thing is certain and the rest debate. Light rays, when near the Sun, do not go straight. Arthur Eddington rays light wise When an investigator has developed a formula which gives a complete representation of the phenomena within a certain range, he may be prone to satisfaction. Would it not be wiser if he should say 'Foiled again! I can find out no more about Nature along this line.' Arthur Eddington nature giving science On one occasion when [William] Smart found him engrossed with his fundamental theory, he asked Eddington how many people he thought would understand what he was writing-after a pause came the reply, 'Perhaps seven.' Arthur Eddington smart writing science Science is one thing, wisdom is another. Science is an edged tool, with which men play like children, and cut their own fingers. If you look at the results which science has brought in its train, you will find them to consist almost wholly in elements of mischief. See how much belongs to the word "Explosion" alone, of which the ancients knew nothing. Arthur Eddington cutting wisdom children There was a time when we wanted to be told what an electron is. The question was never answered. No familiar conceptions can be woven around the electron; it belongs to the waiting list. Arthur Eddington time science knowledge Man is slightly nearer to the atom than to the star. ... From his central position man can survey the grandest works of Nature with the astronomer, or the minutest works with the physicist. ... [K]nowledge of the stars leads through the atom; and important knowledge of the atom has been reached through the stars. Arthur Eddington stars nature science Let us suppose that an ichthyologist is exploring the life of the ocean. He casts a net into the water and brings up a fishy assortment. Surveying his catch, he proceeds in the usual manner of a scientist to systematise what it reveals. He arrives at two generalisations: No sea-creature is less than two inches long. (2) All sea-creatures have gills. These are both true of his catch, and he assumes tentatively that they will remain true however often he repeats it. Arthur Eddington ocean sea two Probably the simplest hypothesis... is that there may be a slow process of annihilation of matter. Arthur Eddington genocide matter may Philosophically, the notion of a beginning of the present order of Nature is repugnant to me ... I should like to find a genuine loophole. Arthur Eddington genuine should order
