John von Neumann Quotes

A collection of quotes by John von Neumann.

John von Neumann (1903-1957) was a Hungarian-American mathematician, physicist, and computer scientist who made significant contributions to various fields, particularly in the development of game theory, quantum mechanics, and the foundations of computer science. He was born in Budapest, Hungary, and showed exceptional mathematical abilities from a young age.

Von Neumann completed his doctoral studies in mathematics at the age of 23 and soon established himself as a prominent figure in the academic world. During World War II, he worked on the Manhattan Project, which resulted in the development of the atomic bomb. His expert knowledge of physics and numerical analysis played a crucial role in this project.

While von Neumann's achievements in physics were notable, his contributions to mathematics and computer science were revolutionary. He made groundbreaking advancements in the theory of operator algebras, providing crucial insights into the quantization of physical systems. Furthermore, he devised the concept of the von Neumann architecture, which forms the foundation for modern computer design.

Besides his scientific pursuits, von Neumann possessed exceptional intellectual versatility. He was known for his quick-thinking, problem-solving abilities, and his immense memory. He played a pivotal role in the development of game theory, profoundly influencing economics, political science, and many other disciplines.

John von Neumann's exceptional intellect and wide-ranging contributions have left an indelible mark on various scientific fields. His work continues to shape our understanding of mathematics, physics, and computer science to this day.

The sciences do not try to explain, they hardly even try to

The sciences do not try to explain, they hardly even try to interpret, they mainly make models. By a model is meant a mathematical construct which, with the addition of certain verbal interpretations describes observed phenomena. The justification of such a mathematical construct is solely and precisely that it is expected to work.

John von Neumann

Science

If people do not believe that mathematics is simple, it is o

If people do not believe that mathematics is simple, it is only because they do not realize how complicated life is.

John von Neumann

Life People Math Maths

Anyone who attempts to generate random numbers by determinis

Anyone who attempts to generate random numbers by deterministic means is, of course, living in a state of sin.

John von Neumann

Science

It would appear that we have reached the limits of what it i

It would appear that we have reached the limits of what it is possible to achieve with computer technology, although one should be careful with such statements, as they tend to sound pretty silly in 5 years.

John von Neumann

Technology