We do not draw conclusions with our eyes, but with our reasoning powers, and if the whole of the rest of living nature proclaims with one accord from all sides the evolution of the world of organisms, we cannot assume that the process stopped short of Man. But it follows also that the factors which brought about the development of Man from his Simian ancestry must be the same as those which have brought about the whole of evolution.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes that human evolution is part of the broader process of evolution observed in nature and relies on our reasoning to understand it.
August Weismann's quote reflects the idea that human beings are not separate from the evolutionary processes that shape all living organisms. He argues that just as nature evolves and adapts, so too did humans emerge from a long line of ancestors, influenced by the same evolutionary factors as all other life forms. Weismann highlights the importance of reasoning in our understanding of these concepts, suggesting that conclusions about our origins require thoughtful analysis rather than mere observation.
In practice
This quote can be used in a lecture about evolutionary biology to highlight the connection between humans and other species.
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I have experimental evidence that time travel is not possible.
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Using e-mail, I can communicate with scientists all over the world.
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