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Home > Dictionary of Science Quotations > Scientist Names Index Z > Zeno Quotes

Zeno
(c. 490 B.C. - c. 425 B.C.)

Greek philosopher.

Science Quotes by Zeno (3 quotes)

The [first] argument asserts the non-existence of notion on the ground that that which is in locomotion must arrive at the half-way stage before it arrives at the goal.
Dichotomy paradox
— Zeno
Aristotle, Physics, 239b10 11. In Reginald E. Allen, Greek Philosophy: Thales to Aristotle? (1991), 46.
Science quotes on:  |  Argument (145)  |  Assert (69)  |  Existence (481)  |  First (1302)  |  Goal (155)  |  Ground (222)  |  Half (63)  |  Infinite Series (8)  |  Motion (320)  |  Must (1525)  |  Notion (120)  |  Paradox (54)  |  Stage (152)  |  Way (1214)

The second [argument about motion] is the so-called Achilles, and it amounts to this, that in a race the quickest runner can never overtake the slowest, since the pursuer must first reach the point whence the pursued started, so that the slower must always hold a lead.
Statement of the Achilles and the Tortoise paradox in the relation of the discrete to the continuous.; perhaps the earliest example of the reductio ad absurdum method of proof.
— Zeno
Aristotle, Physics, 239b, 14-6. In Jonathan Barnes (ed.), The Complete Works of Aristotle (1984), Vol. 1, 404.
Science quotes on:  |  Achilles (2)  |  Amount (153)  |  Argument (145)  |  Call (781)  |  Continuous (83)  |  Discrete (11)  |  First (1302)  |  Lead (391)  |  Mathematics (1395)  |  Method (531)  |  Motion (320)  |  Must (1525)  |  Never (1089)  |  Overtake (2)  |  Paradox (54)  |  Point (584)  |  Proof (304)  |  Pursuit (128)  |  Race (278)  |  Reach (286)  |  Reductio Ad Absurdum (2)  |  Runner (2)  |  So-Called (71)  |  Start (237)  |  Statement (148)  |  Tortoise (10)

The third [argument of motion is] to the effect that the flying arrow is at rest, which result follows from the assumption that time is composed of moments: if this assumption is not granted, the conclusion will not follow.Arrow paradox
— Zeno
Aristotle, Physics, 239b, 30-1. In Jonathan Barnes (ed.), The Complete Works of Aristotle (1984), Vol. 1, 405.
Science quotes on:  |  Argument (145)  |  Arrow (22)  |  Assumption (96)  |  Conclusion (266)  |  Continuous (83)  |  Discrete (11)  |  Effect (414)  |  Flying (74)  |  Follow (389)  |  Grant (76)  |  Moment (260)  |  Motion (320)  |  Paradox (54)  |  Rest (287)  |  Result (700)  |  Time (1911)  |  Will (2350)



Quotes by others about Zeno (2)

A line is not made up of points. … In the same way, time is not made up of parts considered as indivisible “nows.”
Part of Aristotle’s reply to Zeno's paradox concerning continuity.
Aristotle
A succinct summary, not a direct quotation of Aristotle's words. From Aristotle's Physics, Book VI. Sections 1 and 9 as given by Florian Cajori in part 2 of an article 'The History of Zeno's Arguments on Motion', in The American Mathematical Monthly (Feb 1915), 22:2, 41.
Science quotes on:  |  Consider (428)  |  Continuity (39)  |  Indivisible (22)  |  Line (100)  |  Now (5)  |  Paradox (54)  |  Part (235)  |  Point (584)  |  Reply (58)  |  Time (1911)  |  Way (1214)

Zenophobia: the irrational fear of converging sequences.
Pun on the name of the Greek philosopher, Zeno, famous for his challenging paradoxes concerning converging sequences.
Anonymous
In Wieslaw Krawcewicz, Bindhyachal Rai, Calculus with Maple Labs (2003), 407.
Science quotes on:  |  Converge (10)  |  Fear (212)  |  Greek (109)  |  Name (359)  |  Philosopher (269)  |  Quip (81)  |  Sequence (68)


Carl Sagan Thumbnail In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion. (1987) -- Carl Sagan
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Quotations about:Atomic  BombBiologyChemistryDeforestationEngineeringAnatomyAstronomyBacteriaBiochemistryBotanyConservationDinosaurEnvironmentFractalGeneticsGeologyHistory of ScienceInventionJupiterKnowledgeLoveMathematicsMeasurementMedicineNatural ResourceOrganic ChemistryPhysicsPhysicianQuantum TheoryResearchScience and ArtTeacherTechnologyUniverseVolcanoVirusWind PowerWomen ScientistsX-RaysYouthZoology  ... (more topics)
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