Paul Dirac
Predicted antimatter and formulated Dirac equation
Most quoted
"The underlying physical laws necessary for the mathematical theory of a large part of physics and the whole of chemistry are thus completely known, and the difficulty is only that the exact application of these laws leads to equations much too complicated to be soluble. It is the purpose of theoretical physics to show that it is possible to derive, from these equations, the properties of the actual world."
— from Proceedings of the Royal Society, 1929
"The methods of progress in theoretical physics have undergone a vast change during the present century. The classical tradition has been to consider the world to be an association of observable objects (particles, fluids, fields, etc.) moving about according to definite laws of force, so that one could form a mental picture in space and time of the whole scheme."
— from Quantised Singularities in the Electromagnetic Field, 1931
"The most powerful method of advance that can be suggested at present is to employ all the resources of pure mathematics in attempts to perfect and generalise the mathematical formalism that forms the existing basis of theoretical physics, and after each success in this direction, to try to interpret the new mathematical features in terms of physical entities."
— from Quantised Singularities in the Electromagnetic Field, 1931
All quotes by Paul Dirac (692)
Philosophy: Free will is an illusion in a deterministic universe.
Life: My briefless barrister phase taught patience.
From work: The path integral approach, though later, aligns with my views.
Speech excerpt: The beauty of general relativity.
Letter: To my son, pursue what fascinates you.
Reflection: Legacy is in the ideas, not the name.
Humor: When asked his opinion, 'Yes.'
Science: Supersymmetry could solve hierarchy problems.
Wisdom: Balance work and rest for creativity.
Art: Bach's fugues are like quantum superpositions.
Politics: Avoid nationalism in science.
Professional: The Solvay conferences were inspiring.
Aphorism: Innovation comes from questioning the obvious.
Interview: On AI, it will aid calculations but not insight.
Comeback: 'I don't know' is a valid answer.
Philosophy: The multiverse is mathematically possible.
Life: My vegetarianism is for health.
Key passage: The quantization rules for observables.
Speech: The importance of fundamental research.
Personal: Grandchildren bring new perspectives.
Contemporaries of Paul Dirac
Other Physicss born within 50 years of Paul Dirac (1902–1984).