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Thomas Dick
(24 Nov 1774 - 29 Jul 1857)
Scottish astronomer, clergyman and philosopher who pursued an amateur interest in astronomy and eventually built and equipped an observatory and library, on a hill overlooking the Tay at Broughty Ferry, near Dundee, Scotland.
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Science Quotes by Thomas Dick (2 quotes)
The objects which astronomy discloses afford subjects of sublime contemplation, and tend to elevate the soul above vicious passions and groveling pursuits.
— Thomas Dick
In Elijah H. Burritt, 'Introduction', The Geography of the Heavens (1844), 16.
Whatever opinions we may adopt as to the physical constitution of comets, we must admit that they serve some grand and important purpose in the economy of the universe; for we cannot suppose that the Almighty has created such an immense number of bodies, and set them in rapid motion according to established laws, without an end worthy of his perfections, and, on the whole, beneficial to the inhabitants of the system through which they move.
— Thomas Dick
In The Sidereal Heavens and Other Subjects Connected with Astronomy: As Illustrative of the Character of the Deity, and of an Infinity of Worlds (1871), 353.
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) -- 
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