Science is a way to not fool ourselves.
Carl SaganRead
A proclivity for science is embedded deeply within us, in all times, places, and cultures. It has been the means for our survival. It is our birthright. When, through indifference, inattention, incompetence, or fear of skepticism, we discourage children from science, we are disenfranchisin g them, taking from them the tools needed to manage their future.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the innate human connection to science and the consequences of neglecting to nurture this curiosity in children.
Carl Sagan's quote reflects on the fundamental role that science plays in human survival and progress. He argues that fostering a love for science in children is crucial, as discouraging their inquiry can rob them of essential tools needed for understanding and shaping their future. This highlights the responsibility of society to encourage scientific exploration and education, as it allows the next generation to thrive.
Themes
ScienceEducationCuriosityChildrenFutureSurvival
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a school assembly to inspire students to pursue science.
More from Carl Sagan
All quotes →In more than one respect, the exploring of the Solar System and homesteading other worlds constitutes the beginning, much more than the end, of history.
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How smart does a chimpanzee have to be before killing him constitutes murder?
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The hole in the ozone layer is a kind of skywriting. At first it seemed to spell out our continuing complacency before a witch's brew of deadly perils. But perhaps it really tells of a newfound talent to work together to protect the global environment.
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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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