And if we must educate our poets and artists in science, we must educate our masters, labour and capital, in art.
John B. S. HaldaneRead
Teleology is like a mistress to a biologist: he cannot live without her but he's unwilling to be seen with her in public.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that while teleology (the explanation of phenomena by the purpose they serve) is essential for biologists, it is often met with skepticism in public discourse.
In this quote, Haldane uses the metaphor of a 'mistress' to describe the relationship biologists have with teleologyβthe idea that biological processes can be understood in terms of their purposes. It highlights the tension between the utility of teleological explanations in scientific practice and the reluctance of scientists to publicly endorse such views, due to their association with unscientific or outdated ideas. This duality underscores the complexities in the philosophy of biology and the often contentious nature of scientific interpretations.
Themes
TeleologyBiologySciencePhilosophyPurpose
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about scientific interpretations where teleological explanations are questioned.
More from John B. S. Haldane
All quotes βAn attempt to study the evolution of living organisms without reference to cytology would be as futile as an account of stellar evolution which ignored spectroscopy.
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Until politics are a branch of science, we shall do well to regard political and social reforms as experiments rather than short-cuts to the millennium.
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A time will however come (as I believe) when physiology will invade and destroy mathematical physics, as the latter has destroyed geometry.
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My final word, before I'm done, Is "Cancer can be rather fun"- Provided one confronts the tumour with a sufficient sense of humour. I know that cancer often kills, But so do cars and sleeping pills; And it can hurt till one sweats, So can bad teeth and unpaid debts. A spot of laughter, I am sure, Often accelerates one's cure; So let us patients do our bit To help the surgeons make us fit.
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My practise as a scientist is atheistic. That is to say, when I set up an experiment I assume that no god, angel, or devil is going to interfere with its course; and this assumption has been justified by such success as I have achieved in my professional career. I should therefore be intellectually dishonest if I were not also atheistic in the affairs of the world. And I should be a coward if I did not state my theoretical views in public.
John B. S. HaldaneRead
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