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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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All Men Greek Ancient Ifs Whole World Achievement Built Causes Century Culture Historical History Of Science Kind Made Mind Pleasant Reason Way Absence

Famous George Sarton Quotes

“Hellenic science is a victory of rationalism, which appears greater, not smaller, when one is made to realize that it had been won in spite of the irrational beliefs of the Greek people; all in all, it was a triumph of reason in the face of unreason. Some knowledge of Greek superstitions is needed not only for a proper appreciation of that triumph but also for the justification of occasional failures, such as the many Platonic aberrations.”

Source: Ancient Science Through the Golden Age of Greece

“My main interest... is the love of truth, whether pleasant or not. Truth is self-sufficient, and there is nothing to which it can be subordinated without loss. When truth is made subservient to anything else, however great (say religion), it becomes impure and sordid.”

Made Self Interest Loss Truth Is Sufficient Pleasant Self Sufficient Subservient

Book:A History of Science: Ancient Science Through the Golden Age of Greece

Source: A History of Science: Ancient Science Through the Golden Age of Greece

“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