Emile Boutroux Quotes
Emile Boutroux was a French philosopher whose work in the philosophy of science and religion shaped a generation of French and American thinkers, including his student Henri Bergson. His doctoral thesis, On the Contingency of the Laws of Nature, argued against the supposition of strict determinism in natural law and made room for genuine novelty and freedom in nature. The quotes below are attributed to Emile Boutroux, organized by topic.
Emile Boutroux on Freedom
-
Attributed to Emile Boutroux:
“Liberty is a real principle in nature.”
Emile Boutroux on God
-
Attributed to Emile Boutroux:
“Religion and science are not enemies; they have different domains.”
Emile Boutroux on Nature
-
Attributed to Emile Boutroux:
“Necessity in nature is not absolute; the laws of nature have a contingent character.”
-
Attributed to Emile Boutroux:
“Every level of nature has its own kind of law.”
Emile Boutroux on Truth
-
Attributed to Emile Boutroux:
“The truth of life is something different from the truth of logic.”