Problems that remain persistently insoluble should always be suspected as questions asked in the wrong way.

Alan W. Watts
About This Quote

Problems that remain persistently insoluble should always be suspected as questions asked in the wrong way. This quote is often attributed to the mathematician and philosopher, Henri Poincare. He was a French mathematician and philosopher who developed a mathematical theory of relativity and pioneered the field of hydrodynamics. If we take a look at the math involved, we can see that this quote makes sense.

The phrase “persistently insoluble” refers to problems that cannot be solved by any currently known means. We can solve problems but they will take time and effort, not unlike what we see in everyday life. For example, if someone tells you their car broke down and they need to go to the mechanic to get it fixed you might say, “That’s great! Let me know when you’re done and I’ll come pick it up!” It is possible that they could do that, but it seems unlikely.

You can’t just go picking up broken down cars like that because you don’t know for sure if they will give you back your car if you don’t fix it first.

Source: The Book On The Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are

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