Science operates in the natural, not the supernatural. In fact, I go so far as to state that there is no such thing as the supernatural or the paranormal.
Michael ShermerRead
Humans are, by nature, pattern-seeking, storytelling animals, and we are quite adept at telling stories about patterns whether they exist or not.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Humans have an innate tendency to recognize patterns and create narratives, regardless of their authenticity.
This quote by Michael Shermer emphasizes the fundamental nature of humanity in seeking out patterns and creating stories. It suggests that storytelling is an intrinsic part of being human, as we often construct narratives from perceived patterns in our experiences and observations, whether these patterns are real or imagined. This behavior reflects our desire to make sense of the world and connect events in a meaningful way.
Themes
PatternStorytellingHumansNarrativeNature
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about human creativity, one might say, 'As Michael Shermer once pointed out, we are storytelling animals who perceive patterns in our experiences.'
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Being deeply knowledgeable on one subject narrows one's focus and increases confidence, but it also blurs dissenting views until they are no longer visible, thereby transforming data collection into bias confirmation and morphing self-deception into self-assurance.
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How can we find spiritual meaning in a scientific worldview? Spirituality is a way of being in the world, a sense of oneβs place in the cosmos, a relationship to that which extends beyond oneself. . . . Does scientific explanation of the world diminish its spiritual beauty? I think not. Science and spirituality are complementary, not conflicting; additive, not detractive. Anything that generates a sense of awe may be a source of spirituality. Science does this in spades. (158-159)
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But because we live in an age of science, we have a preoccupation with corroborating our myths.
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Iβm a skeptic not because I do not want to believe, but because I want to know.
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