Science is a way to not fool ourselves.
Carl SaganRead
I can find in my undergraduate classes, bright students who do not know that the stars rise and set at night, or even that the Sun is a star.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the lack of fundamental scientific knowledge among educated individuals.
Carl Sagan emphasizes a troubling reality where even bright students in higher education may lack basic understanding of fundamental astronomical concepts. His statement suggests that, despite advanced studies, there is a disconnect between formal education and essential knowledge about the universe, pointing to the importance of a well-rounded education that includes foundational scientific literacy.
Themes
EducationScienceKnowledgeCuriosityLiteracy
In practice
Example use cases
During a classroom discussion on the importance of scientific literacy.
More from Carl Sagan
All quotes βIn 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.
Carl SaganRead
The simplest thought, like the concept of the number one, has an elaborate logical underpinning.
Carl SaganRead
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