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Mary McCarthy
(21 Jun 1912 - 25 Oct 1989)
American writer , who was one of her country's pre-eminent literary figures in the 1930s to 1970s. She is remembered for her sharp-tongued wit and as a tireless polemist. Her autobiographical novels include Memories of a Catholic Girlhood (1957), and The Group (1963).
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Science Quotes by Mary McCarthy (3 quotes)
In science, all facts no matter how trivial, enjoy democratic equality.
— Mary McCarthy
In 'The Fact in Fiction', On the Contrary: Articles of Belief (1961, 1966), 266.
Modern neurosis began with the discoveries of Copernicus. Science made men feel small by showing him that the earth was not the center of the universe. He retaliated … through the conquest of nature, the invention of machines, the industrial revolution. … In the course of these compensatory activities, he unwittingly destroyed the home, replacing it with the factory as the center of his life.
— Mary McCarthy
In essay, 'Tyranny of the Orgasm' (Apr 1947), collected in On The Contrary (1961), 168.
There are no new truths, but only truths that have not been recognized by those who have perceived them without noticing.
— Mary McCarthy
In essay, 'Vita Activa' (Oct 1958), collected in On The Contrary (1961).
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) -- 
