Quotes from Max Born

I am now convinced that theoretical physics is actually philosophy.

Science?is so greatly opposed to history and tradition that it cannot be absorbed by our civilization.

It is true that many scientists are not philosophically minded and have hitherto shown much skill and ingenuity but little wisdom.

The belief that there is only one truth, and that oneself is in possession of it, is the root of all evil in the world.

I am now convinced that theoretical physics is actual philosophy.

We have sought for firm ground and found none. The deeper we penetrate, the more restless becomes the universe; all is rushing about and vibrating in a wild dance.

I believe there is no philosophical high-road in science, with epistemological signposts. No, we are in a jungle and find our way by trial and error, building our road behind us as we proceed. We do not find signposts at crossroads, but our own scouts erect them, to help the rest.

If alpha [the fine-structure constant] were bigger than it really is, we should not be able to distinguish matter from ether [the vacuum, nothingness], and our task to disentangle the natural laws would be hopelessly difficult. The fact however that alpha has just its value 1/137 is certainly no chance but itself a law of nature. It is clear that the explanation of this number must be the central problem of natural philosophy.

But I believe that there is no philosophical highroad in science, with epistemological signposts. No, we are in a jungle and find our way by trial and error, building our road behind us as we proceed. We do not find signposts at crossroads, but our own scouts erect them, to help the rest.