Samuel Arbesman on the Natural Limits to What the Human Mind can Understand

Samuel Arbesman on the Natural Limits to What the Human Mind can Understand —

 "I look at the way certain philosophers in the Middle Ages approached the world around them.

I use the example of Moses Maimonides, a philosopher from the 12th century, I believe. He recognized that there were things that we would never understand. There were natural limits to what the human mind can understand.

I think people recognize this, but at the same time over the past maybe century or two, there’s been this somewhat triumphalist sense when it comes to science. That if there’s a question, no matter what, if we put our minds to it we can understand everything. That’s not always true."


QUOTES ― Edward Gibbon

Revenge is profitable, gratitude is expensive.

The winds and the waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.

But the power of instruction is seldom of much efficacy, except in those happy dispositions where it is almost superfluous.

Corruption, the most infallible symptom of constitutional liberty.

History is indeed little more than the register of the crimes, follies, and misfortunes of mankind.

We improve ourselves by victories over our self. There must be contests, and you must win.

I never make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect.

Books are those faithful mirrors that reflect to our mind the minds of sages and heroes.

Conversation enriches the understanding, but solitude is the school of genius.

All that is human must retrograde if it does not advance.