Gregory Bateson Quotes

We are discovering today that several of the premises which are deeply ingrained in our way of life are simply untrue and become pathogenic when implemented with modern technology.

Logic cannot model causal systems, and paradox is generated when time is ignored [as in logic].

Information consists of differences that make a difference.

It is impossible, in principle, to explain any pattern by invoking a single quantity.

Life and 'Mind' are systemic processes.

No organism can afford to be conscious of matters with which it could deal at unconscious levels.

Members of weakly religious families get, of course, no religious training from any source outside the family.

The wise legislator will only rarely initiate a new rule of behaviour; more usually he will confine himself to affirming in law what has already become the custom of the people.

Prediction can never be absolutely valid and therefore science can never prove some generalization or even test a single descriptive statement and in that way arrive at final truth.

Surrender to alcohol intoxication provides a partial and subjective shortcut to a more correct state of mind.

In the nature of the case, an explorer can never know what he is exploring until it has been explored.

Rigor alone is paralytic death, but imagination alone is insanity.

Whatever the ups and downs of detail within our limited experience the larger whole is primarily beautiful.