Science is a way to not fool ourselves.
Carl SaganRead
We hunger to understand, so we invent myths about how we imagine the world is constructed - and they're, of course, based upon what we know, which is ourselves and other animals. So we make up stories about how the world was hatched from a cosmic egg or created after the mating of cosmic deities or by some fiat of a powerful being.
Interpretation
What this quote means
We create myths to explain our understanding of the world based on our experiences and knowledge.
In this quote, Carl Sagan highlights the human tendency to create myths and stories as a means to comprehend the world around us. He suggests that these narratives are deeply rooted in our own experiences and observations, often projecting our understanding onto the universe in imaginative ways, whether it's through the concept of a cosmic egg or divine creations. This reflects not only our desire to seek answers but also our fundamental connection to the natural world and all living beings.
Themes
MythsUnderstandingStoriesCosmicCreation
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on cosmic history, one could use this quote to emphasize the role of storytelling in human understanding.
More from Carl Sagan
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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.
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The simplest thought, like the concept of the number one, has an elaborate logical underpinning.
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