It is wrong for a man to say that he is certain of the objective truth of any proposition unless he can produce evidence which logically justifies that certainty.
Thomas HuxleyRead
Extinguished theologians lie about the cradle of every science as the strangled snakes beside that of Hercules; and history records that whenever science and orthodoxy have been fairly opposed, the latter has been forced to retire from the lists, bleeding and crushed if not annihilated; scotched, if not slain.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that science often overcomes traditional beliefs, which can be rigid and resistant to change.
In this quote, Thomas Huxley highlights the historical conflict between scientific inquiry and orthodox beliefs, implying that science is a progressive force that challenges and often prevails over outdated ideologies. He metaphorically compares extinguished theologians to defeated opponents of science, emphasizing how established beliefs must yield in the face of evidence and reason, ultimately depicting science as a vital force for discovery and understanding in human history.
Themes
ScienceOrthodoxyTruthConflictKnowledge
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture on the importance of scientific method versus tradition.
More from Thomas Huxley
All quotes βThe child who has been taught to make an accurate elevation, plan, and section of a pint pot has had an admirable training in accuracy of eye and hand.
Thomas HuxleyRead
Let us have "sweet girl graduates" by all means. They will be none the less sweet for a little wisdom; and the "golden hair" will not curl less gracefully outside the head by reason of there being brains within.
Thomas HuxleyRead
The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of childhood into maturity.
Thomas HuxleyRead
It is the first duty of a hypothesis to be intelligible.
Thomas HuxleyRead
Of the few innocent pleasures left to men past middle life, the jamming of common sense down the throats of fools is perhaps the keenest.
Thomas HuxleyRead
Similar quotes
Our job is not to predict the future. Rather, it's to suggest all the possible futures - so that society can make informed decisions about where we want to go.
Robert J. SawyerRead
The true scientific understanding of the nature of existence is so utterly fascinating; how could you not want people to share it? Carl Sagan, I think, said 'when you're in love, you want to tell the world.' And who, on understanding a scientific view of reality, would not, as it were, fall in love and want to tell the world.
Richard DawkinsRead
No astrophysicist would deny the possibility of life. I think we're not creative enough to imagine what life would be like on another planet. Show me a dead alien. Better yet, show me a live one!
Neil Degrasse TysonRead
Very many maintain that all we know is still infinitely less than all that still remains unknown.
William HarveyRead
Understanding science and pushing the boundaries of science is what makes me immensely satisfied.
Bill GatesRead
Modern science has been a voyage into the unknown, with a lesson in humility waiting at every stop. Many passengers would rather have stayed home.
Carl SaganRead