James Boswell
(29 Oct 1740 - 19 May 1795)

Scottish biographer and diarist who is known for his two-volume biography of Samuel Johnson.

Science Quotes by James Boswell (1)

After we came out of the church, we stood talking for some time together of Bishop Berkeley's ingenious sophistry to prove the non-existence of matter, and that every thing in the universe is merely ideal. I observed, that though we are satisfied his doctrine is not true, it is impossible to refute it. I never shall forget the alacrity with which Johnson answered, striking his foot with mighty force against a large stone, till he rebounded from it, 'I refute it thus.'
— James Boswell
Entry for Saturday 6th August 1763. In George Birkbeck-Hill (ed.), Boswell's Life of Johnson (1934-50), Vol. 1, 471.
See also:  |  George Berkeley (6)  |  Samuel Johnson (25)  |  Matter (61)  |  Philosophy (72)


back arrow
Custom search within only our quotations pages:
Sitewide search within all Today In Science History pages:

Visit our Science and Scientist Quotations index for more Science Quotes from archaeologists, biologists, chemists, geologists, inventors and inventions, mathematicians, physicists, pioneers in medicine, science events and technology.

Names index: | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |

Categories index: | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |



Site Navigation



If you find this site useful, please add a link from your site.


Today in Science History
Quotations
by scientists, inventors, on science and more.
- Go To Index -





8,506,814


Test Link - Please Ignore








Locations of visitors to this page