Quote by Henry David Thoreau

If we knew all the laws of Nature, we should need only one fact, or the description of one actual phenomenon, to infer all the particular results at that point. Now we know only a few laws, and our result is vitiated, not, of course, by any confusion or irregularity in Nature, but by our ignorance of essential elements in the calculation. Our notions of law and harmony are commonly confined to those instances which we detect; but the harmony which results from a far greater number of seemingly conflicting, but really concurring, laws, which we have not detected, is still more wonderful. The particular laws are as our points of view, as, to the traveler, a mountain outline varies with every step, and it has an infinite number of profiles, though absolutely but one form. Even when cleft or bored through it is not comprehended in its entireness.


If we knew all the laws of Nature, we should need only one f

Summary

This quote emphasizes the limited understanding of the laws of Nature that humans possess. If we were aware of all the laws, just one fact or phenomenon would enable us to deduce all the specific outcomes at that moment. However, our knowledge is currently limited, resulting in flawed conclusions due to our ignorance of crucial elements in our calculations. We tend to associate law and harmony only with the instances we observe, neglecting the greater harmony that arises from numerous seemingly conflicting laws that actually coincide. The diversity of perspectives on laws resembles a traveler's changing view of a mountain, revealing an infinite number of profiles yet still just one overall form, incomprehensible even if cleft or bored through.

Topics

Science
By Henry David Thoreau
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