Max Planck

1858–1947 · German theoretical physicist, originator of quantum theory

Max Planck founded quantum theory and was one of the leading figures of German science in the first half of the twentieth century. He also lectured and wrote on science and religion, for example in Religion und Naturwissenschaft. That makes a passage about a “conscious and intelligent” mind behind matter plausible in tone, but it does not document this particular text.

Traced to source

3 quotes we’ve traced to Max Planck

“As a man who has devoted his whole life to the most clear headed science, to the study of matter, I can tell you as a result of my research about atoms this much: There is no matter as such. All matter originates and exists only by virtue of a force which brings the particle of an atom to vibration and holds this most minute solar system of the atom together. We must assume behind this force the existence of a conscious and intelligent mind. This mind is the matrix of all matter”

Attributed

“Science advances one funeral at a time”

Disputed

“We may conclude that from what science teaches us, there is in nature an order independent of man's existence, a meaningful order to which nature and man are subordinate”

Disputed

Not actually Max Planck

Often misattributed to Max Planck

Famous lines widely pinned on Max Planck that we’ve traced to someone else.

“In physics, almost everything is already discovered, and all that remains is to fill a few unimportant holes”

Philipp von Jolly (as recalled by Max Planck)

“No burden is so heavy for a man to bear as a succession of happy days”

actually Max Müller

“Your question is quite simple. Hence, I'm going to ask my chauffeur to respond”

actually Anonymous

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