Werner Heisenberg

Physics German 1901 – 1976 406 quotes

Formulated the uncertainty principle

Quotes by Werner Heisenberg

The act of observation itself plays a decisive role in the event.

Various writings

The development of atomic physics has taught us that we cannot avoid the problem of the relationship between the observer and the observed.

Physics and Philosophy

The quantum theory has shown us that the world is not as simple as we thought.

Various discussions

The idea of a 'trajectory' for an electron within an atom is meaningless.

Early quantum mechanics discussions

The only reality is the mathematical structure of the quantum theory.

Attributed, consistent with his views on mathematical formalism

The concept of 'being' in the quantum world is fundamentally different from classical 'being'.

Physics and Philosophy

The classical concepts are only applicable to a limited extent.

Various writings

The quantum theory does not describe individual events, but rather the probabilities of events.

Physics and Philosophy

The division of the world into subject and object, inner world and outer world, body and soul, is no longer possible in the quantum theory.

Physics and Philosophy

The elementary particles are not 'things' in the usual sense, but rather 'bundles of energy'.

Various discussions

The quantum theory has forced us to abandon the idea of a deterministic universe.

Physics and Philosophy

The role of the observer in quantum mechanics is not merely passive.

Various writings

The concept of 'empty space' is an illusion.

Attributed, consistent with quantum field theory

The quantum world is a world of possibilities, not certainties.

Physics and Philosophy

The concept of 'matter' has undergone a profound change in modern physics.

Physics and Philosophy

The classical ideal of objective description is not attainable in the quantum realm.

Various writings

The quantum theory has shown us that the universe is fundamentally interconnected.

Attributed, consistent with entanglement

The idea of a 'fundamental building block' of matter is misleading.

Various discussions

The quantum theory has opened up a new way of thinking about reality.

Physics and Philosophy

The concept of 'truth' in science is not absolute, but relative to the framework of our theories.

Various discussions