Arthur Koestler Quotes

We think that computer models represent reality especially if we developed the models.

Knowledge is what we get when an observer, preferably a scientifically trained observer, provides us with a copy of reality that we can all recognize.

Knowing reality means constructing systems of transformations that correspond, more or less adequately, to reality.

In many respects, theater is still grappling with problems of reality and representation that the visual art movement realized were unimportant many years ago.

The two basic topics which fascinate me are 'What is reality?' and 'What constitutes the authentic human being?'

Agnosticism is epistemologically self-contradictory on its own assumptions because its claim to make no assertion about ultimate reality rests upon a most comprehensive assertion about ultimate reality.

The man who has successfully solved the problem of his relations with the two worlds of data and symbols is a man who has no beliefs. With regard to the problems of practical life he entertains a series of working hypotheses, which serve his purposes, but are taken no more seriously than any other kind of tool or instrument. In other words, symbols should never be raised to the rank of dogmas, nor should any system be regarded as more than a provisional convenience.

I'm the idea of the human imagination, which, when you think about it, is the only thing we can really be certain ISN'T imaginary.

In any case, the idea of giving "all" of reality is overly simple and absurd.

Most mistakes in philosophy and logic occur because the human mind is apt to take the symbol for the reality.

Understanding arises from reducing one type of reality into another.

One of the most insidious and nefarious properties of scientific models is their tendency to take over, and sometimes supplant, reality.

One can study what exists and how consciousness functions; but one cannot analyze (or “prove”) existence as such, or consciousness as such. These are irreducible primaries. (An attempt to “prove” them is self-contradict ory: it is an attempt to “prove” existence by means of nonexistence, and consciousness by means of unconsciousness .)

The Study of philosophy is not that we may know what men have thought, but what the truth of things is.

Things which we see are not by themselves what we see ... It remains completely unknown to us what the objects may be by themselves and apart from the receptivity of our senses. We know nothing but our manner of perceiving them.

Over against any cognition, there is an unknown but knowable reality; but over against all possible cognition, there is only the self-contradictory. In short, cognizability (in its widest sense) and being are not merely metaphysically the same, but are synonymous terms.

Solipsism may be logically consistent with present Quantum Mechanics, Monism in the sense of Materialism is not.

The plastic artist may or may not be concerned with presenting a superficial appearance of reality, but he is always concerned with the presentation - if not the representation - of the plastic values of reality.

That which we are, we are.

This is...self-knowled ge-for a man to know what he knows, and what he does not know.

We always know when we are awake that we cannot be dreaming even though when actually dreaming we feel all this may be real.

If ... it is not in my power to arrive at the knowledge of any truth, I may at least do what is in my power, namely, suspend judgement.

Here then is the truth about the Truth; the Truth is not bridge, sturdy to every step, a marvel of bound planks and supports from the known into the unknown, but a surging sea of smashed wood, flotsam and drowning sailors.

The field of experience is the whole universe in all directions. Theory remains shut up within the limits of human faculties.

The purer the artist's 'mirror' is, the more true reality reflects in it. Overseeing the historical culture of art, we must conclude that the mirror only slowly is purified. Time producing this purifying shows a gradual, more constant and objective image of reality.