If this is not done, future ages will certainly look back upon us as a people so immersed in the pursuit of wealth as to be blind to higher considerations.
Alfred Russel WallaceRead
In less than eight years "The Origin of Species" has produced conviction in the minds of a majority of the most eminent living men of science. New facts, new problems, new difficulties as they arise are accepted, solved, or removed by this theory; and its principles are illustrated by the progress and conclusions of every well established branch of human knowledge.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the profound impact of Darwin's theory on scientific thought and understanding.
Alfred Russel Wallace highlights the transformative influence of 'The Origin of Species' on the scientific community, noting how it has shaped convictions among leading scientists. He argues that as new facts and challenges emerge, they are addressed within the framework of Darwinian theory, demonstrating its applicability and relevance across various fields of knowledge.
Themes
EvolutionScienceTheoryKnowledgeChange
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture about the importance of evolutionary theory in modern science.
More from Alfred Russel Wallace
All quotes →As well might it be said that, because we are ignorant of the laws by which metals are produced and trees developed, we cannot know anything of the origin of steamships and railways
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On the spiritual theory, man consists essentially of a spiritual nature or mind intimately associated with a spiritual body or soul, both of which are developed in and by means of a material organism
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In my solitude I have pondered much on the incomprehensible subjects of space, eternity, life and death.
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I believe that the extraordinary should be pursued. But extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
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