The physicist cannot simply surrender to the philosopher the critical contemplation of the theoretical foundations for he himself knows best and feels most surely where the shoe pinches.... he must try to make clear in his own mind just how far the concepts which he uses are justified... The whole of science is nothing more than a refinement of everyday thinking.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the importance of physicists taking an active role in questioning and scrutinizing the theoretical underpinnings of their work. It argues that physicists cannot rely solely on philosophers to assess the foundations of their knowledge because they possess a unique understanding and awareness of the practical limitations and shortcomings in their field. The quote also highlights the idea that scientific knowledge is ultimately derived from and built upon everyday thinking, implying that scientific discoveries are a sophisticated and refined version of our common understanding of the world.

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