“I believe there are no questions that science can’t answer about a physical universe.”
- January 8, 1942 – March 14, 2018
- British
- Theoretical physicist, science writer
- Announced the black hole singularity theorem and Hawking radiation, and contributed to the popularization of science with his book “Talking about the Universe”
Quote
“I believe there are no questions that science can’t answer about a physical universe.”
Explanation
In this quote, Stephen Hawking expresses his firm belief in the power of science to provide answers to all questions related to the physical universe. He is emphasizing that science, through observation, experimentation, and reason, has the capacity to unravel the mysteries of the natural world. Hawking’s view aligns with the scientific worldview, which holds that the universe is governed by physical laws that are discoverable and understandable through empirical investigation. This belief is central to his work in theoretical physics, where he sought to explain some of the most profound questions in cosmology, such as the nature of black holes, the Big Bang, and the nature of time itself.
Hawking’s statement also reflects the optimism that science can offer answers to even the most complex and abstract questions, given enough time and resources. He was particularly interested in the possibility of a “Theory of Everything”—a unified framework that would explain the fundamental workings of the universe, from the subatomic level to the cosmic scale. In this context, Hawking was advocating for the idea that scientific inquiry is not only about answering practical questions, but also about exploring deep philosophical issues, such as the origins of the universe, the nature of reality, and the potential for life beyond Earth.
However, while Hawking believed in the power of science to explain physical phenomena, his statement also suggests an underlying confidence in the ability of the human mind to comprehend the universe through rational thought and scientific discovery. Yet, this view also raises important philosophical questions about the limits of human knowledge—can we ever truly answer all questions, especially those that may touch on the subjective or metaphysical? For Hawking, the pursuit of knowledge through science was not just about solving problems, but about embracing a broader quest for understanding—one that could, in theory, explain all aspects of the physical universe, even the most profound and elusive.
