Famous quote by Niels Bohr

"We are all agreed that your theory is crazy. The question which divides us is whether it is crazy enough to have a chance of being correct. My own feeling is that it is not crazy enough"

About this Quote

Niels Bohr's quote encapsulates an extensive perspective on the nature of scientific questions and development. The quote acknowledges the requirement of unconventional thinking in the development of scientific theories. By stating, "We are all concurred that your theory is crazy", Bohr recognizes that groundbreaking concepts often appear unreasonable or nonsensical when judged by standard standards. The history of science is loaded with instances where theories at first deemed 'insane' eventually changed our understanding of the world, such as the heliocentric design or quantum mechanics itself.

The 2nd part of the quote, "The question which divides us is whether it is crazy enough to have a chance of being right", suggests that not all innovative ideas are equally reputable; rather, their potential credibility might correlate with their capacity to challenge and redefine existing paradigms. Bohr implies that there is a threshold of 'craziness' or creativity needed for a theory to go beyond the restrictions of existing understanding. In the realm of theoretical physics, this can be seen in how theories like general relativity or quantum mechanics at first defied rational instincts, yet offered profoundly accurate predictions where classical theories failed.

The final sentence, "My own sensation is that it is not insane enough", can be interpreted as an encouragement to push the limits of traditional logic even further. Bohr appears to imply that the idea in question, while unconventional, might still adhere too closely to existing paradigms to really break brand-new ground. His declaration acts as a call to action for researchers to welcome radical imagination and imagination. Bohr's view underlines the value of intellectual audacity and the determination to accept 'insaneness' to attain transformative insights. In essence, Bohr was advocating for a clinical environment where bold, outside-the-box thinking is not only welcomed however viewed as important for the progression of understanding.

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Niels Bohr This quote is written / told by Niels Bohr between October 7, 1885 and November 18, 1962. He was a famous Physicist from Denmark. The author also have 21 other quotes.
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