Philosophy

People have regarded as a paradox- the fact that Newton spent most of his time doing alchemy, which doesn't sound very scientific, and only part of his time doing mechanics and gravitation. Of course, his discoveries in mechanics and his law of gravitation were absolutely foundational to all of quantitative science, engineering, technology and, indeed, everything that came after

Theoretical Physicist & Director of Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics

Putting a price on the good things in life can corrupt them. That's because markets don't only allocate goods; they also express and promote certain attitudes toward the goods being exchanged.

Harvard philosopher known for justice and moral philosophy courses

Morality represents the way we would like the world to work, and economics represents how it actually does work.

Economist known for applying economic analysis to unconventional topics via Freakonomics

What we give to alleviate the need, suffering and sorrow of others, whether we know them or not, is charity. What we give to prevent and correct social and environmental problems and improve life and living conditions of people and creatures we don't know and who have no claim on us is philanthropy.

In a society where everything is for sale, life is harder for those of modest means. The more money can buy, the more affluence (or the lack of it) matters.

Harvard philosopher known for justice and moral philosophy courses

No one man can, for any considerable time, wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which is the true one.

American novelist and short story writer; author of *The Scarlet Letter*

I made a principled decision that none of my wealth will be passed on as inheritance, that my capital will work for philanthropic causes. In other words, philanthropy is the reason I make money.

Russian Oligarch & Owner of Norilsk Nickel Mining Company

Winning is good, losing is bad! If you're winning, you can give back — to your family, institutions of your choice, and your local communities. If you're losing, your pockets are empty.

Former CEO of General Electric; Pioneered "Jack Welch Management" Techniques

There is no such thing as true-altruism (even philanthropists get something out of giving!). What is this individuals' payoff from working with you?

Much like whiskey, advice is best when it's of a high-quality, with provenance, and in short amounts. Have too much? And you're likely to be on the floor unable to make any good decisions.

We crystallize and store knowledge in specialised sounds and language, and then play with it – build and forge and mould it and model with it – using it to grip hold of the past and to imagine and plan the future.

Out of our cleverness has emerged something almost more important than the cleverness itself. Out of it has come learning about how to share ideas and pass down skills and knowledge. Out of it has come education.

We are the same people, physically: today, we have no additional neurons, no better wiring. But our tools for thinking – our ideas, hypotheses, theories, models – are marvellously improved. The only reason we are better at thinking and doing things now is that we accumulate knowledge and pass ideas and information from one generation to the next.

We write for the same reason that we walk, talk, climb mountains or swim the oceans- because we can… We have some impulse within us that makes us want to explain ourselves to other human beings… That's why we paint, that's why we dare to love someone- because we have the impulse to explain who we are.

Renowned poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist; author of "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.

Physicist who developed the theory of relativity and E=mc².

Science can purify religion from error and superstition. Religion can purify science from idolatry and false absolutes...

Leader of Catholic Church for 27 years; advocated for human rights and peace