How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph) Note that chapters aren't numbered, so need to be numbered manually, 1 to 14.
Quote #4
"The source of all the various forms observed by Berton is Fechner—rather, Fechner's brain, subjected to an unimaginable 'psychic dissection' for the purposes of a sort of re-creation, an experimental reconstruction, based on impressions (undoubtedly the most durable ones) engraved on his memory." (6.259)
The scientists are speculating about the actions of the ocean, which they think is acting like a scientist and performing an experiment. So… is the ocean really performing scientific experiments? Or is that just the sort of thing a scientist would think? Are scientists discovering new things, or are they just discovering themselves? Which would mean the ocean as scientist is just finding its own damp visage inside Fechner, too.
Quote #5
But the final step, into the heart of the matter, had taken me nowhere. (7.137)
Again, this is how science works in Solaris. You look closer and closer and closer and then you're looking at nothing. Though, note that in this case "nothing" is really the truth; Kelvin is studying Rheya's blood, and finds that ultimately it is made out of nothing. And Rheya really is made out of nothing—she's just an imaginary character in a book—so science tells the truth. Go science, go.