Thumbnail of William Maclure
William Maclure
(27 Oct 1763 - 23 Mar 1840)

Scottish-American geologist.


Science Quotes by William Maclure (1)

In all speculations on the origin, or agents that have produced the changes on this globe, it is probable that we ought to keep within the boundaries of the probable effects resulting from the regular operations of the great laws of nature which our experience and observation have brought within the sphere of our knowledge. When we overleap those limits, and suppose a total change in nature's laws, we embark on the sea of uncertainty, where one conjecture is perhaps as probable as another; for none of them can have any support, or derive any authority from the practical facts wherewith our experience has brought us acquainted.
— William Maclure
Observations on the Geology of the United States of America (1817), iv-v.
See also:  |  Authority (7)  |  Change (44)  |  Conjecture (8)  |  Experience (59)  |  Fact (146)  |  Geology (114)  |  Knowledge (341)  |  Law Of Nature (8)  |  Limit (9)  |  Observation (147)  |  Origin (7)  |  Practical (11)  |  Probability (34)  |  Speculation (21)  |  Uncertainty (11)


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 -

Buy Telescopes and other Stargazing Devices from Edmund Scientific

9,832,923


Test Link - Please Ignore