"An epic adventure in time, space and life."
Cosmos - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
The cosmos is also within us. We're made of star stuff. We are a way for the cosmos to know itself.
— Neil deGrasse Tyson
Context:
This line is stated in Season 1, Episode 2, "Some of the Things That Molecules Do," during a discussion of the elements essential for life and how they were forged in the hearts of stars.
Meaning:
This quote, echoing a famous sentiment from Carl Sagan, encapsulates one of the series' core messages: the profound, literal connection between human beings and the universe. It reframes our existence not as small and insignificant, but as a vital and precious manifestation of the universe's own evolution toward self-awareness.
This adventure is made possible by generations of searchers strictly adherent to a simple set of rules. Test ideas by experiments and observations. Build on those ideas that pass the test. Reject the ones that fail. Follow the evidence wherever it leads, and question everything.
— Neil deGrasse Tyson
Context:
This is part of the opening narration in the first episode of A Spacetime Odyssey, "Standing Up in the Milky Way," setting the philosophical tone for the entire series.
Meaning:
This quote is the series' mission statement for the scientific method. It defines science not as a collection of unchanging facts, but as a disciplined process of inquiry that is self-correcting and evidence-based. It is the foundation upon which all the knowledge presented in the show is built.
Science works on the frontier between knowledge and ignorance. We're not afraid to admit what we don't know. There's no shame in that. The only shame is to pretend that we have all the answers.
— Neil deGrasse Tyson
Context:
Delivered in Season 1, Episode 2, "Some of the Things That Molecules Do," while discussing the mystery of abiogenesis—how life first arose on Earth.
Meaning:
This statement champions scientific humility and intellectual honesty. It directly contrasts the scientific process with dogma, emphasizing that admitting ignorance is not a weakness but a prerequisite for discovery. It highlights the comfort science has with uncertainty and the ongoing nature of the quest for knowledge.