Many of these quotes have to do with theories of consciousness. Describing consciousness is still a philosophical problem. I wouldn't call this "mysticism," just scientists trying to grapple with the mind-body problem.
Scientific Quotes That Blur the Boundaries Between Mysticism and Science
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Re: Scientific Quotes That Blur the Boundaries Between Mysticism and Science
#12Maybe mystic beliefs are over-represented among scientists. But all these quotes show is that some scientists have these beliefs and find their beliefs to be intimately connected with their scientific views.
They are not "scientific quotes" they are "quotes by some scientists". From a Christian scientist we have I have found there is a wonderful harmony in the complementary truths of science and faith. The God of the Bible is also the God of the genome. God can be found in the cathedral or in the laboratory. By investigating God's majestic and awesome creation, science can actually be a means of worship. -- Francis Collins
Re: Scientific Quotes That Blur the Boundaries Between Mysticism and Science
#13Many of these quotes have to do with theories of consciousness. Describing consciousness is still a philosophical problem. I wouldn't call this "mysticism," just scientists trying to grapple with the mind-body problem.
Different people, different definitions. There's also some overlap between abstractions like Philosophy & "Mysticism".
> …I regard consciousness as fundamental
> Science cannot solve the ultimate mystery of nature. And that is because, in the last analysis, we ourselves are part of nature and therefore part of the mystery that we are trying to solve.
> Deep down the consciousness of mankind is one.
> The notion that all these fragments are separately existent is evidently an illusion, and this illusion cannot do other than lead to endless conflict and confusion.
Reading these quotes, it seems like they are all in an abstract, or mind, domain.
Re: Scientific Quotes That Blur the Boundaries Between Mysticism and Science
#14There's a quote, maybe fictional, by some great physicist (Bohr?). Someone was visiting his home, and noticed that there was a horseshoe hanging above the main door, which is traditionally done for good luck. He asked Bohr, surely you don't believe in that nonsense. To which Bohr replied, it's supposed to work regardless of whether you believe in it or not.
Re: Scientific Quotes That Blur the Boundaries Between Mysticism and Science
#15Poverty of language has a point, of matter between myst and sci-psy.
Re: Scientific Quotes That Blur the Boundaries Between Mysticism and Science
#16There's a quote, maybe fictional, by some great physicist (Bohr?). Someone was visiting his home, and noticed that there was a horseshoe hanging above the main door, which is traditionally done for good luck. He asked Bohr, surely you don't believe in that nonsense. To which Bohr replied, it's supposed to work regardless of whether you believe in it or not.
Re: Scientific Quotes That Blur the Boundaries Between Mysticism and Science
#17That a scientist says something mystical does not validate the mystical approach. Science is a process. Individual's sense of wonder is a precious thing but not science even if a scientist attempted to express it. I.e. there was nothing extra sciency in Eintein's sneeze, a cobbler does not excrement shoes nor is Usain Bolt practicing sports when he sleeps.
The scientific method is like an API. It does not matter how you make the connections as long as the scientific method is correctly done.
> That a scientist says something mystical does not validate the mystical approach.
Actually it does validate the mystical approach for that particular scientist. YMMV, however that's how that person gained inspiration & approached the problem.
Re: Scientific Quotes That Blur the Boundaries Between Mysticism and Science
#18It's slightly sad that even when one can thrust one's mind to the fringes of a human knowledge, our brain's flaws remain; by which I mean: the human consciousness seems highly inclined to accept one's culture's common behaviours, even if that means accepting fallacies and irrationalities. Perhaps our consciousnesses being shaped by evolution has essentially betrayed us at scale, by letting us adopt/inherit nearly any…
> even if that means accepting fallacies and irrationalities
The judgement of what is irrational is often irrational, subjective, & fraught with externalities. Love can be considered "irrational".
> Perhaps our consciousnesses being shaped by evolution has essentially betrayed us at scale, by letting us adopt/inherit nearly any behavior or belief, and on a societal level we ought to make up by not letting just any irrational bullshit that gets spread around persist.
Our consciousness is flexible. We can have logical systems in spite of unexplained phenomena. We also have a drive understand more & expand consciousness. Some people perceive this as esoteric spirituality (or mystiscism).
> by letting us adopt/inherit nearly any behavior or belief
I'm confused. Would you prefer that we have less novelty & think with less variation?
Re: Scientific Quotes That Blur the Boundaries Between Mysticism and Science
#19It's slightly sad that even when one can thrust one's mind to the fringes of a human knowledge, our brain's flaws remain; by which I mean: the human consciousness seems highly inclined to accept one's culture's common behaviours, even if that means accepting fallacies and irrationalities. Perhaps our consciousnesses being shaped by evolution has essentially betrayed us at scale, by letting us adopt/inherit nearly any…
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Re: Scientific Quotes That Blur the Boundaries Between Mysticism and Science
#20Compare to: "Mystical Quotes That Blur the Boundaries Between Science and Mysticism"