Quotes About Inquiry

Scientific curiosity hungers for a knowledge of causes; causes which are physical, and, if possible, measurable.

We are in search of a world outlook. Creeds, therefore, are our concern. The inquiry with which these lectures are concerned is whether, among the beliefs which together constitute our general view of the universe, we should, or should not, include a belief in God. And to this question it is certainly relevant to inquire whether the elimination of such a belief might not involve a loss of value in other elements of our creed—a loss in which we are not prepared to acquiesce.

Isn't it curious that ever since man has walked, no one has asked why he walks, or how, or if he could improve his walking, or what he does when he walks, whether one could not impose his walking, change or scrutinize it—issues that are integral to all the philosophical, psychological or political systems that have occupied the world?

Before taking up the subject of modesty, it may perhaps be necessary to inquire whether there is such a thing. Is it anything in a woman but well understood coquetry?

When little girls ask too many questions their tongues drop off!

I believe in evolution, scientific inquiry, and global warming; I believe in free speech, whether politically correct or politically incorrect, and I am suspicious of using government to impose anybody's religious beliefs -including my own- on nonbelievers.

Why, Sandilands? Why?

Tonight?" Hope asked.

Experimental science is fascinating, but I don't want to do it. I want other people to do it, and I'll read about it.

Don't be satisfied with the surface. Dig deeper; that's where the magic lies.

In the West, opinions, perceptions, loyalties, and, ultimately, votes are what matter when the goal is to change public policy-or for that matter, cultural patterns. Serious inquiry and questions of truth are often a mere diversion.

What's happened? What's wrong?" he asked. "I

The question is always the answer, provided you want the answer badly enough.

Y are you called the cheese man?

The reality of a question is inevitably more complicated than we would like to suppose.

But once divinity of doctrine has been questioned there is no return to perfect faith.

We simply do not understand our place in the universe and have not the courage to admit it.

Dismissing without further investigation something that conflicts with what is already known is the very heart of rationality.

It is entirely reasonable to want to know how many citizens and non-citizens there are in the United States.

A lot of fiction doesn't answer a question that any reasonable person would ever ask.

It is by doubting that we come to investigate, and by investigating that we recognize the truth.

Sometimes my readers ask me what else they should read, and I recommend Sebald.

When I met Johnny Cash, I didn't know what to ask: where were you born, who was your favorite recording artist, what's your favorite color - I didn't know.

Ask yourself why a red carpet is red. It could be any colour.