The way in which the persecution of Galileo has been remembered is a tribute to the quiet commencement of the most intimate change in outlook which the human race had yet encountered. Since a babe was born in a manger, it may be doubted whether so great a thing has happened with so little stir
Alfred North WhiteheadIn every age of well-marked transition, there is the pattern of habitual dumb practice and emotion which is passing and there is oncoming a new complex of habit.
Alfred North WhiteheadAlgebra reverses the relative importance of the factors in ordinary language.
Alfred North WhiteheadThe great achievements of the past were the adventures of the past. Only the adventurous can understand the greatness of the past.
Alfred North WhiteheadArt flourishes where there is a sense of adventure, a sense of nothing having been done before, of complete freedom to experiment.
Alfred North WhiteheadThe Universe is vast. Nothing is more curious than the self-satisfied dogmatism with which mankind at each period of its history cherishes the delusion of the finality of existing modes of knowledge. Skeptics and believers are alike. At this moment scientists and skeptics are the leading dogmatists. Advance in detail is admitted; fundamental novelty is barred. This dogmatic common sense is the death of philosophic adventure.
Alfred North Whitehead