Science is a way to not fool ourselves.
Carl SaganRead
Our ancestors worshipped the Sun, and they were not that foolish. It makes sense to revere the Sun and the stars, for we are their children.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of recognizing our connection to the cosmos, suggesting that reverence for celestial bodies is not foolish but rather insightful.
Carl Sagan's quote reflects on the wisdom of our ancestors who revered the Sun and stars, implying that such beliefs were grounded in a deep understanding of our place in the universe. By describing ourselves as the children of these celestial bodies, Sagan invites us to acknowledge our origins and the fundamental role that these elements play in sustaining life on Earth. This perspective encourages a sense of wonder and reverence towards nature and the cosmos, suggesting that scientific inquiry and spiritual appreciation can coexist.
Themes
AncestorsSunStarsReverenceConnectionCosmos
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture about the importance of environmental awareness and our place in the universe.
More from Carl Sagan
All quotes βIn more than one respect, the exploring of the Solar System and homesteading other worlds constitutes the beginning, much more than the end, of history.
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How smart does a chimpanzee have to be before killing him constitutes murder?
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The hole in the ozone layer is a kind of skywriting. At first it seemed to spell out our continuing complacency before a witch's brew of deadly perils. But perhaps it really tells of a newfound talent to work together to protect the global environment.
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There is a reward structure in science that is very interesting: Our highest honors go to those who disprove the findings of the most revered among us. So Einstein is revered not just because he made so many fundamental contributions to science, but because he found an imperfection in the fundamental contribution of Isaac Newton.
Carl SaganRead
The simplest thought, like the concept of the number one, has an elaborate logical underpinning.
Carl SaganRead
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