Who said “The sciences do not try to explain, they hardly even try to interpret, they mainly make…”?

Verified

John Von Neumann. A published source records them saying or writing it.

Source"Method in the Physical Sciences", in The Unity of Knowledge (1955), ed. L. G. Leary (Doubleday & Co., New York), p. 157

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“The sciences do not try to explain, they hardly even try to interpret, they mainly make models. By a model is meant a mathematical construct which, with the addition of certain verbal interpretations describes observed phenomena. The justification of such a mathematical construct is solely and precisely that it is expected to work.”
— John Von Neumann
Verified"Method in the Physical Sciences", in The Unity of Knowledge (1955), ed. L. G. Leary (Doubleday & Co., New York), p. 157 · evidenceScience and Scientists
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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: "Method in the Physical Sciences", in The Unity of Knowledge (1955), ed. L. G. Leary (Doubleday & Co., New York), p. 157.

APA

Neumann, J. V. (n.d.). The sciences do not try to explain, they hardly even try to interpret, they mainly make models. By a model is meant a mathematical construct which, with the addition of certain verbal interpretations describes observed phenomena. The justification of such a mathematical construct is solely and precisely that it is expected to work. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/36878-the-sciences-do-not-try-to-explain-they/

MLA

Neumann, John Von. “The sciences do not try to explain, they hardly even try to interpret, they mainly make models. By a model is meant a mathematical construct which, with the addition of certain verbal interpretations describes observed phenomena. The justification of such a mathematical construct is solely and precisely that it is expected to work.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/36878-the-sciences-do-not-try-to-explain-they/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Neumann, John Von. “The sciences do not try to explain, they hardly even try to interpret, they mainly make models. By a model is meant a mathematical construct which, with the addition of certain verbal interpretations describes observed phenomena. The justification of such a mathematical construct is solely and precisely that it is expected to work.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/36878-the-sciences-do-not-try-to-explain-they/.

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