Science is a way to not fool ourselves.
Carl SaganRead
I would be very ashamed of my civilization if we did not try to find out if there is life in outer space.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The pursuit of knowledge about extraterrestrial life reflects our values and curiosity as a civilization.
Carl Sagan emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge about life beyond Earth as a reflection of our civilizationβs values and aspirations. He argues that our willingness to explore outer space and question our place in the universe is a crucial part of our identity as a species, and failing to do so would be a source of shame.
Themes
CivilizationLifeOuter SpaceCuriosityKnowledge
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about the importance of scientific exploration, one might use this quote to emphasize humanity's responsibility to seek knowledge.
More from Carl Sagan
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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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