Quote by Primo Levi

He was a physicist, more precisely an astrophysicist, diligent and eager but without illusions: the Truth lay beyond, inaccessible to our telescopes, accessible to the initiates. This was a long road which he was traveling with effort, wonderment, and profound joy. Physics was prose: elegant gymnastics for the mind, mirror of Creation, the key to man's dominion over the planet; but what is the stature of Creation, of man and the planet? His road was long and he had barely started up it, but I was his disciple: did I want to follow him?

He was a physicist, more precisely an astrophysicist, dilige

Summary

This quote reflects the perspective of a narrator who is describing a physicist, specifically an astrophysicist. The physicist acknowledges that the ultimate truth of the universe is beyond the reach of telescopes and reserved for those who possess deep knowledge. Despite this, he remains committed to his journey, experiencing a mix of effort, wonder, and profound joy. The physicist sees physics as a tool to comprehend the elegance and intricacy of the universe, offering humanity a means to assert its control over the planet. The narrator, who presents themselves as the physicist's disciple, is contemplating whether they too want to embark on this arduous path of discovery.

Topics

Science Physics

By Primo Levi

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