Species evolve exactly as if they were adapting as best they could to a changing world, and not at all as if they were moving toward a set goal.
George Gaylord SimpsonRead
The science of systematics has long been affected by profound philosophical preconceptions, which have been all the more influential for being usually covert, even subconscious.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Scientific classification of organisms is influenced by deep-rooted philosophical beliefs that often go unnoticed.
This quote by George Gaylord Simpson emphasizes that the field of systematics, which is the science of classifying organisms, is not solely based on empirical evidence but is also shaped by underlying philosophical assumptions. These assumptions often operate at a subconscious level, affecting how scientists perceive and categorize life forms, thus highlighting the intricate relationship between science and philosophy.
Themes
SystematicsSciencePhilosophyClassificationBeliefs
In practice
Example use cases
In a seminar discussing the influence of philosophy on scientific research, this quote could vividly illustrate the point.
More from George Gaylord Simpson
All quotes βIf a sect does officially insist that its structure of belief demands that evolution be false, then no compromise is possible. An honest and competent biology teacher can only conclude that the sect's beliefs are wrong and that its religion is a false one.
George Gaylord SimpsonRead
Now we do have many examples of transitional sequences.
George Gaylord SimpsonRead
He is a state of matter, a form of life, a sort of animal, and a species of the Order Primates, akin nearly or remotely to all of life and indeed to all that is material.
George Gaylord SimpsonRead
Man is the result of a purposeless and materialistic process that did not have him in mind. He was not planned. He is a state of matter, a form of life, a sort of animal, and a species of the Order Primates, akin nearly or remotely to all of life and indeed to all that is material.
George Gaylord SimpsonRead
Man is the result of a purposeless and natural process that did not have him in mind
George Gaylord SimpsonRead
Similar quotes
If you could see the earth illuminated when you were in a place as dark as night, it would look to you more splendid than the moon.
Galileo GalileiRead
Symmetries are the playing field on which the physical world works and which determine the rules of the game. The symmetries of nature determine for us things that remain constant, that can't be changed. Those are the guideposts in physics, the quantities like energy and momentum.
Lawrence M. KraussRead
We all know that UFOs are real. All we need to ask is where do they come from, and what do they want?
Edgar MitchellRead
New knowledge has led to the recognition in the theory of evolution of more than a hypothesis. It is indeed remarkable that this theory has been progressively accepted by researchers, following a series of discoveries in various fields of knowledge. The convergence, neither sought nor fabricated, of the results of work that was conducted independently is in itself a significant argument in favor of this theory.
Pope John Paul IiRead
It is mere rubbish thinking, at present, of origin of life; one might as well think of origin of matter.
Charles DarwinRead
Let us understand what our own selfish genes are up to because we may then at least have the chance to upset their designs.
Richard DawkinsRead