Many a scientist has patiently designed experiments for the purpose of substantiating his belief that animal operations are motivated by no purposes. He has perhaps spent his spare time in writing articles to prove that human beings are as other animals so that 'purpose' is a category irrelevant for the explanation of their bodily activities, his own activities included. Scientists animated by the purpose of proving that they are purposeless constitute an interesting subject for study.
Alfred North WhiteheadThe absolute pacifist is a bad citizen; times come when force must be used to uphold right, justice and ideals.
Alfred North WhiteheadThe point about zero is that we do not need to use it in the operation of daily life. No one goes out to buy zero fish.
Alfred North WhiteheadThe tragedy of the world is that those who are imaginative have but slight experience, and those who are experienced have feeble imaginations.
Alfred North WhiteheadThe consequences of a plethora of half-digested theoretical knowledge are deplorable.
Alfred North WhiteheadThere are two principles inherent in the very nature of things, recurring in some particular embodiments whatever field we explore - the spirit of change, and the spirit of conservation. There can be nothing real without both. Mere change without conservation is a passage from nothing to nothing. . . . Mere conservation without change cannot conserve. For after all, there is a flux of circumstance, and the freshness of being evaporates under mere repetition.
Alfred North Whitehead