“I believe things cannot make themselves impossible.”
- 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 things cannot make themselves impossible.”
Explanation
In this statement, Stephen Hawking expresses a philosophical perspective that aligns with his belief in the laws of physics and their universality. The idea that “things cannot make themselves impossible” suggests that physical reality is governed by rules and constraints that allow for consistent behavior and predictability. This reflects Hawking’s view that, while certain phenomena may seem paradoxical or impossible within our current understanding, they are ultimately subject to the laws of nature and can be explained through scientific inquiry. It underscores the idea that nothing in the universe, not even the most mysterious or counterintuitive events, can defy the fundamental principles of physics.
This quote also speaks to determinism, the philosophical concept that the future is set by prior events and that cause and effect dictate the nature of all events. In a deterministic universe, things cannot “make themselves impossible” because the behavior of objects and forces is already constrained by physical laws. For example, while we may not yet understand certain phenomena, such as the nature of dark matter or the true behavior of black holes, Hawking believed that these things could be explained through scientific progress and evidence—they may seem impossible, but they are not beyond understanding.
In the broader context of Hawking’s work, this statement could also be seen as a challenge to ideas of supernatural intervention or metaphysical explanations. Just as he argued that the universe operates according to predictable laws rather than divine intervention, this quote suggests that there is no inherent “impossibility” built into the fabric of reality itself. Everything that is physically possible can, in principle, be understood, even if it requires new theories or breakthroughs in science. Hawking’s work, particularly his contributions to cosmology and quantum mechanics, often addressed questions of what is physically possible within the bounds of known science, with an eye toward uncovering what might once have seemed impossible, such as the nature of black hole radiation or the origins of the universe. This view aligns with his overarching belief that science has the power to explain phenomena that were once thought beyond human comprehension.
In a modern context, this quote reinforces Hawking’s belief in the power of scientific exploration to push the boundaries of what we know, suggesting that human ingenuity, guided by scientific reasoning, can eventually overcome any apparent impossibilities and unlock the mysteries of the universe.
