Carl Gustav Hempel famous quotes

The most distinctive characteristic which differentiates mathematics from the various branches of empirical science, and which accounts for its fame as the queen of the sciences, is no doubt the peculiar certainty and necessity of its results.
-- Carl Gustav Hempel

#Queens #Doubt #Peculiar

The propositions of mathematics have, therefore, the same unquestionable certainty which is typical of such propositions as "All bachelors are unmarried," but they also share the complete lack of empirical content which is associated with that certainty: The propositions of mathematics are devoid of all factual content; they convey no information whatever on any empirical subject matter.
-- Carl Gustav Hempel

#Typical #Statistics #Information

...to characterize the import of pure geometry, we might use the standard form of a movie-disclaimer: No portrayal of the characteristics of geometrical figures or of the spatial properties of relationships of actual bodies is intended, and any similarities between the primitive concepts and their customary geometrical connotations are purely coincidental.
-- Carl Gustav Hempel

#Use #Body #Might

The propositions of mathematics are devoid of all factual content; they convey no information whatever on any empirical subject matter.
-- Carl Gustav Hempel

#Math #Information #Matter

A geometrical theory in physical interpretation can never be validated with mathematical certainty ... ; like any other theory of empirical science, it can acquire only a more or less high degree of confirmation.
-- Carl Gustav Hempel

#Degrees #Confirmation #Interpretation

Her cheeks were flushed. She caught hold of the Savage's arm and pressed it, limp, against her side. He looked down at her for a moment, pale, pained, desiring, and ashamed of his desire. He was not worthy, not... Their eyes for a moment met. What treasures hers promised! A queen's ransom of temperament. Hastily he looked away, disengaged his imprisoned arm. He was obscurely terrified lest she should cease to be something he could feel himself unworthy of.

Once upon a time supporters of the Steinitz-Tarrasch school had a very high opinion of a queen-side pawn majority. Modern strategy on the other hand categorically denies that such a majority is an independent factor of any importance.

Servile doubt argues an impotence of mind, that says we fear because we dare not meet misfortunes.

Our intention to regard the closing of the Straits as a casus belli was communicated...to the foreign ministers of those states which had supported international navigation in the Straits in 1957 and thereafter. There can be no doubt that these warnings reached Cairo. One thing was now clear. If Nasser imposed a blockade, the explosion would ensue not from 'miscalculation', but from an open-eyed and conscious readiness for war.

My worthiness is all my doubt His Merit- all my fear- Contrasting which my quality Does however appear

I have had so many evidences of [God's] direction, so many instances when I have been controlled by some other power than my own will, that I cannot doubt that this power comes from above.

There is no doubt that the Americans losses are very heavy because they are deployed across a wide area and among the people and because it is easy to procure weapons. All of which makes them easy and mouth watering targets for the believers.

Fix'd like a plant on his peculiar spot, To draw nutrition, propagate and rot.

If one were forced to select a single word to exemplify Bishop's peculiar charm and power, it might well be 'No.'

Courage is a peculiar kind of fear.