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Paul Davies Quotes

Traditionally, scientists have treated the laws of physics as simply ‘given,’ elegant mathematical relationships that were somehow imprinted on the universe at its birth, and fixed thereafter. Inquiry into the origin and nature of the laws was not regarded as a proper part of science Picture Quote #1

The language of chemistry simply does not mesh with that of biology. Chemistry is about substances and how they react, whereas biology appeals to concepts such as information and organisation. Informational narratives permeate biology Picture Quote #1

So how can we test the idea that the transition from nonlife to life is simple enough to happen repeatedly? The most obvious and straightforward way is to search for a second form of life on Earth. No planet is more Earth-like than Earth itself, so if the path to life is easy, then life should have started up many times over right here Picture Quote #1

Searching for alternative life on Earth might seem misconceived, because there is excellent evidence that every kind of life so far studied evolved from a common ancestor that lived billions of years ago. Yet most of the life that exists on Earth has never been properly classified Picture Quote #1

Scientists are slowly waking up to an inconvenient truth - the universe looks suspiciously like a fix. The issue concerns the very laws of nature themselves Picture Quote #1

Studying cancer could provide huge insights for astrobiologists into the nature of life itself Picture Quote #1

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The origin of life is one of the great outstanding mysteries of science Picture Quote #1

Technology is, in the broadest sense, mind or intelligence or purpose blending with nature Picture Quote #1

The question not many ask is: why are the laws of physics like they are? Picture Quote #1

The anthropic principle is an unfortunate name as it implies something about humanity Picture Quote #1

General relativity is the cornerstone of cosmology and astrophysics. It has also provided the conceptual basis for string theory and other attempts to unify all the forces of nature in terms of geometrical structures Picture Quote #1

To expect alien technology to be just a few decades ahead of ours is too incredible to be taken seriously Picture Quote #1

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The laws of physics... seem to be the product of exceedingly ingenious design... The universe must have a purpose Picture Quote #1

I always look on the black side of life. That way, you won’t be disappointed and I’m cheerful if it doesn’t work out. I’m a cheerful pessimist Picture Quote #1

Science is about explaining the world, and religion is about interpreting it. There shouldn’t be any conflict Picture Quote #1

Many investigators feel uneasy stating in public that the origin of life is a mystery, even though behind closed doors they admit they are baffled Picture Quote #1

Should we find a second form of life right here on our doorstep, we could be confident that life is a truly cosmic phenomenon. If so, there may well be sentient beings somewhere in the galaxy wondering, as do we, if they are not alone in the universe Picture Quote #1

The way life manages information involves a logical structure that differs fundamentally from mere complex chemistry. Therefore chemistry alone will not explain life’s origin, any more than a study of silicon, copper and plastic will explain how a computer can execute a program Picture Quote #1

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It is hard to resist the impression that the present structure of the universe, apparently so sensitive to minor alterations in numbers, has been rather carefully thought out... The seemingly miraculous concurrence of these numerical values must remain the most compelling evidence for cosmic design Picture Quote #1

Even if we don’t have a precise idea of exactly what took place at the beginning, we can at least see that the origin of the universe from nothing need not be unlawful or unnatural or unscientific Picture Quote #1

Imagine a civilisation that’s way in advance of us wants to communicate with us, and assist us in our development. The information we provide to them must reflect our highest aspirations and ideals, and not just be some crazy person’s bizarre politics or religion Picture Quote #1

Cancer is such a ruthless adversary because it behaves as if it has its own fiendishly cunning agenda Picture Quote #1

Although gravity is by far the weakest force of nature, its insidious and cumulative action serves to determine the ultimate fate not only of individual astronomical objects but of the entire cosmos. The same remorseless attraction that crushes a star operates on a much grander scale on the universe as a whole Picture Quote #1

Many billions of years will elapse before the smallest, youngest stars complete their nuclear burning and shrink into white dwarfs. But with slow, agonizing finality perpetual night will surely fall Picture Quote #1

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In science, a healthy skepticism is a professional necessity, whereas in religion, having belief without evidence is regarded as a virtue Picture Quote #1

Very, very slowly, the dwarf remnants of what was once our mighty sun will cool and dim, until it embarks on its final metamorphosis, gradually solidifying into a crystal of extraordinary rigidity. Eventually it will fade out completely, merging quietly into the blackness of space Picture Quote #1

For me, science is already fantastical enough. Unlocking the secrets of nature with fundamental physics or cosmology or astrobiology leads you into a wonderland compared with which beliefs in things like alien abductions pale into insignificance Picture Quote #1

It is possible that a scientific discovery will be made that humans will later regret because it has awful consequences. The problem is, we probably would not know in advance and, once the discovery is made, it cannot be undiscovered Picture Quote #1

Most research into life’s murky origin has been carried out by chemists. They’ve tried a variety of approaches in their attempts to recreate the first steps on the road to life, but little progress has been made. Perhaps that is no surprise, given life’s stupendous complexity Picture Quote #1

My feeling is that scientific method has the power to account for and interlink all phenomena in the universe, including its origin, using the laws of nature. But that still leaves the laws unexplained Picture Quote #1

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Traditionally, scientists have treated the laws of physics as simply ‘given,’ elegant mathematical relationships that were somehow imprinted on the universe at its birth, and fixed thereafter. Inquiry into the origin and nature of the laws was not regarded as a proper part of science (Paul Davies Quotes) The language of chemistry simply does not mesh with that of biology. Chemistry is about substances and how they react, whereas biology appeals to concepts such as information and organisation. Informational narratives permeate biology (Paul Davies Quotes) So how can we test the idea that the transition from nonlife to life is simple enough to happen repeatedly? The most obvious and straightforward way is to search for a second form of life on Earth. No planet is more Earth-like than Earth itself, so if the path to life is easy, then life should have started up many times over right here (Paul Davies Quotes) Searching for alternative life on Earth might seem misconceived, because there is excellent evidence that every kind of life so far studied evolved from a common ancestor that lived billions of years ago. Yet most of the life that exists on Earth has never been properly classified (Paul Davies Quotes) Scientists are slowly waking up to an inconvenient truth - the universe looks suspiciously like a fix. The issue concerns the very laws of nature themselves (Paul Davies Quotes) Studying cancer could provide huge insights for astrobiologists into the nature of life itself (Paul Davies Quotes) The origin of life is one of the great outstanding mysteries of science (Paul Davies Quotes) Technology is, in the broadest sense, mind or intelligence or purpose blending with nature (Paul Davies Quotes) The question not many ask is: why are the laws of physics like they are? (Paul Davies Quotes) The anthropic principle is an unfortunate name as it implies something about humanity (Paul Davies Quotes) General relativity is the cornerstone of cosmology and astrophysics. It has also provided the conceptual basis for string theory and other attempts to unify all the forces of nature in terms of geometrical structures (Paul Davies Quotes) To expect alien technology to be just a few decades ahead of ours is too incredible to be taken seriously (Paul Davies Quotes) The laws of physics... seem to be the product of exceedingly ingenious design... The universe must have a purpose (Paul Davies Quotes) I always look on the black side of life. That way, you won’t be disappointed and I’m cheerful if it doesn’t work out. I’m a cheerful pessimist (Paul Davies Quotes) Science is about explaining the world, and religion is about interpreting it. There shouldn’t be any conflict (Paul Davies Quotes) Many investigators feel uneasy stating in public that the origin of life is a mystery, even though behind closed doors they admit they are baffled (Paul Davies Quotes) Should we find a second form of life right here on our doorstep, we could be confident that life is a truly cosmic phenomenon. If so, there may well be sentient beings somewhere in the galaxy wondering, as do we, if they are not alone in the universe (Paul Davies Quotes) The way life manages information involves a logical structure that differs fundamentally from mere complex chemistry. Therefore chemistry alone will not explain life’s origin, any more than a study of silicon, copper and plastic will explain how a computer can execute a program (Paul Davies Quotes) It is hard to resist the impression that the present structure of the universe, apparently so sensitive to minor alterations in numbers, has been rather carefully thought out... The seemingly miraculous concurrence of these numerical values must remain the most compelling evidence for cosmic design (Paul Davies Quotes) Even if we don’t have a precise idea of exactly what took place at the beginning, we can at least see that the origin of the universe from nothing need not be unlawful or unnatural or unscientific (Paul Davies Quotes) Imagine a civilisation that’s way in advance of us wants to communicate with us, and assist us in our development. The information we provide to them must reflect our highest aspirations and ideals, and not just be some crazy person’s bizarre politics or religion (Paul Davies Quotes) Cancer is such a ruthless adversary because it behaves as if it has its own fiendishly cunning agenda (Paul Davies Quotes) Although gravity is by far the weakest force of nature, its insidious and cumulative action serves to determine the ultimate fate not only of individual astronomical objects but of the entire cosmos. The same remorseless attraction that crushes a star operates on a much grander scale on the universe as a whole (Paul Davies Quotes) Many billions of years will elapse before the smallest, youngest stars complete their nuclear burning and shrink into white dwarfs. But with slow, agonizing finality perpetual night will surely fall (Paul Davies Quotes) In science, a healthy skepticism is a professional necessity, whereas in religion, having belief without evidence is regarded as a virtue (Paul Davies Quotes) Very, very slowly, the dwarf remnants of what was once our mighty sun will cool and dim, until it embarks on its final metamorphosis, gradually solidifying into a crystal of extraordinary rigidity. Eventually it will fade out completely, merging quietly into the blackness of space (Paul Davies Quotes) For me, science is already fantastical enough. Unlocking the secrets of nature with fundamental physics or cosmology or astrobiology leads you into a wonderland compared with which beliefs in things like alien abductions pale into insignificance (Paul Davies Quotes) It is possible that a scientific discovery will be made that humans will later regret because it has awful consequences. The problem is, we probably would not know in advance and, once the discovery is made, it cannot be undiscovered (Paul Davies Quotes) Most research into life’s murky origin has been carried out by chemists. They’ve tried a variety of approaches in their attempts to recreate the first steps on the road to life, but little progress has been made. Perhaps that is no surprise, given life’s stupendous complexity (Paul Davies Quotes) My feeling is that scientific method has the power to account for and interlink all phenomena in the universe, including its origin, using the laws of nature. But that still leaves the laws unexplained (Paul Davies Quotes)

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