The Burgess Shale is not unique, but for those who study evolution and fossils it has become something of an icon. It provides a reference point and a benchmark, a point of common discussion and an issue of universal scientific interest. Simon Conway Morris benchmarkburgesscommon share on social
If there were a clear prospect that such evils were part of a barbarian past, then at least we might find a small crumb of comfort. No such prospect exists: no scientific analysis can even remotely answer or account for past and present horrors of human behaviour. Simon Conway Morris accountanalysisanswer share on social
Most of the tree of life is effectively arranged. Simon Conway Morris arrangeeffectivelylife Change image and share on social
I would argue that in any habitable zone that doesn't boil or freeze, intelligent life is going to emerge because intelligence is convergent. Simon Conway Morris argueboilconvergent Change image and share on social
Pikaia is a missing link because, of all chordates, it's probably the most primitive. Simon Conway Morris chordatelinkmiss Change image and share on social
It is difficult to imagine evolution in alien planets operating in any manner other than Darwinian. Simon Conway Morris aliendarwiniandifficult Change image and share on social
The common ancient ancestor of mulluses and chordates could not possibly have possessed a camera eye, so quite clearly they have evolved independently. The solution has been arrived at by completely different routes. Simon Conway Morris ancestorancientarrive share on social
Evolution is true, it happens, it is the way the world is, and we too are one of its products. This does not mean that evolution does not have metaphysical implications; I remain convinced that this is the case. Simon Conway Morris caseconvinceevolution share on social
By obtaining a sense of its place in the unfolding drama of life, set in an ecological theatre, so we can understand why it has become one of the leading players. Simon Conway Morris dramaecologicallead Change image and share on social
As a number of people have stressed over the years, I think it would be premature to assume science itself will explain everything. Simon Conway Morris assumeexplainnumb Change image and share on social
