Quotes by William Whewell

About William Whewell:

William Whewell was an English polymath, scientist, Anglican priest, philosopher, theologian, and historian of science. He was Master of Trinity College, Cambridge. In his time as a student there, he achieved distinction in both poetry and mathematics.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

In art, truth is a means to an end; in science, it is the only end.

William Whewell

Man is the interpreter of nature, science the right interpretation.

William Whewell

Fundamental ideas are not a consequence of experience, but a result of the particular constitution and activity of the mind, which is independent of all experience in its origin, though constantly combined with experience in its exercise.

William Whewell

Every failure is a step to success.

William Whewell

Hence no force, however great, can stretch a cord, however fine, into a horizontal line which is accurately straight: there will always be a bending downwards.

William Whewell

It is a test of true theories not only to account for but to predict phenomena.

William Whewell

We cannot observe external things without some degree of Thought; nor can we reflect upon our Thoughts, without being influenced in the course of our reflection by the Things which we have observed.

William Whewell

The system becomes more coherent as it is further extended. The elements which we require for explaining a new class of facts are already contained in our system. In false theories, the contrary is the case.

William Whewell

Author Bio

  • NameWilliam Whewell
  • DescriptionEnglish philosopher & historian of science
  • BornMay 24, 1794
  • DiedMarch 6, 1866
  • CountryUnited Kingdom
  • ProfessionEconomist; Physicist; Historian; Philosopher; Writer
  • AwardsFellow Of The Royal Society; Royal Medal