The quotations of

Freeman Dyson

Theoretical physicist and mathematician

1923–2020

16 quotes, most often on Science, God and Religion.

Science and religion are two human enterprises sharing many features.
Infinite in All Directions (1988), Ch. 1: In Praise of Diversity
- Religion
- Science
God is what mind becomes when it has passed beyond our comprehension.
Infinite in All Directions (1988), Ch. 6: How Will it All End?
- God
- Theology
The real world is muddy and messy and full of things that we do not yet understand.
“Heretical Thoughts about Science and Society”, in Edge (8 August 2007)
- Knowledge
- Science
We stand, in a manner of speaking, midway between the unpredictability of atoms and the unpredictability of God.
Progress In Religion (2000)
- God
- Science
Scientifically speaking, a butterfly is at least as mysterious as a superstring.
Infinite in All Directions (1988), Ch. 2: Butterflies and Superstrings, p. 14
- Nature
- Science
Like many other crucially important technologies, hay emerged anonymously during the so-called Dark Ages.
Infinite in All Directions (1988), Ch. 8: Quick Is Beautiful, p. 135.
- History
- Technology
To talk about the end of science is just as foolish as to talk about the end of religion. Science and religion are both still close to their beginnings, with no ends in sight.
Progress In Religion (2000)
- Religion
- Science
It appears that mind, as manifested by the capacity to make choices, is to some extent inherent in every atom.
“Progress in Religion”, Templeton Prize address (May 2000)
- Philosophy
- Science
I do not make any clear distinction between mind and God. God is what mind becomes when it has passed beyond the scale of our comprehension.
Infinite in All Directions (1988), ch. 6, How Will It All End?
- God
Religion amplifies the good and evil tendencies of individual souls.
Progress In Religion (2000)
- Good & Evil
- Religion
The technologies which have had the most profound effects on human life are usually simple.
Infinite in All Directions (1988), Ch. 8: Quick Is Beautiful, p. 135.
- Technology
If we had a reliable way to label our toys good and bad, it would be easy to regulate technology wisely. But we can rarely see far enough ahead to know which road leads to damnation.
Disturbing the Universe (1979)
- Technology
There is a great satisfaction in building good tools for other people to use.
Disturbing the Universe (1979)
- Work
The laws of nature are constructed in such a way as to make the universe as interesting as possible.
Imagined Worlds (1997)
- Nature
- Science
An awareness of our smallness may help to redeem us from the arrogance which is the besetting sin of the scientists.
Infinite in All Directions (1988), Ch. 1: In Praise of Diversity
- Pride
- Science

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