atomic mechanics is like psychological analysis

Categories: Comparisons

An example of a scientist's use of analogy

"Indeed, the necessity of considering the interaction between the measuring instruments and the object under investigation in atomic mechanics exhibits a close analogy to the peculiar to the peculiar difficulties in psychological analysis arising from the fact that the mental content is invariably altered when the attention in concentrated on any special feature of it."

"…I am sure many of you will have recognised the close analogy between the situation as regards the analysis of atomic phenomena…and characteristic features of the problem of observation in human psychology."

Neils Bohr (2010) Atomic Physics and Human Knowledge (first published 1961). Dover Publications, Inc.

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Author: Keith

Former school and college science teacher, teacher educator, research supervisor, and research methods lecturer. Emeritus Professor of Science Education at the University of Cambridge.