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George Sarton Quotes

Historian of Science

George Sarton was a renowned historian of science, known for his profound insights into the relationship between science and society. His book 'Introduction to the History of Science' had a profound impact on the field of the history of science.

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Famous George Sarton Quotes

“In ancient times there was no public education, except that of the forum, the theater, and the street, and the general degree of illiteracy was very high. The early men of science were left very much to themselves and such a phrase as "the scientific culture of Alexandria in the third century B.C." does not cover any reality. In a sense, this is still true today; the real pioneers are so far ahead of the crowd (even a very literate crowd) that they remain almost alone.”

Men Doe Stills Real Reality Today Culture Left Streets Century Degrees Thirds Theater Ancient Crowds Phrases Pioneers Public Education Forums Illiteracy Ancient Times Alexandria

Author:George Sarton

“Men of science have made abundant mistakes of every kind; their knowledge has improved only because of their gradual abandonment of ancient errors, poor approximations, and premature conclusions.”

Men Kind Made Poor Mistake Errors Ancient Conclusion Abandonment Premature Approximation

Book:A History of Science: Hellenistic science and culture in the last three centuries B.C

Source: A History of Science: Hellenistic science and culture in the last three centuries B.C

“Ancient portraits are symbolic images without any immediate relation to the individuals represented; they are not portraits as we understand them. It is remarkable that philologists who are capable of carrying accuracy to the extremes in the case of words are as credulous as babies when it comes to "images," and yet an image is so full of information that ten thousands words would not add up to it.”

Individual Cases Information Baby Ten Capable Relation Add Ancient Extremes Remarkable Portraits Symbolic Accuracy

Author:George Sarton

“The whole iconography of ancient science is simply the fruit of wishful thinking.”

Thinking Whole Fruit Ancient Wishful Thinking Iconography

Book:Hellenistic Science and Culture in the Last Three Centuries B.C.

Source: Hellenistic Science and Culture in the Last Three Centuries B.C.