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
I don't think an alien will be a blob. If aliens are out there they should have evolved just like us. They should have eyes and be walking on two legs. In short if there is any life out there then it is likely to be very similar to us. Simon Conway Morris alienblobevolve share on social
The fact that some things are mysterious or that they touch on mystery isn't in some way a capitulation, and one should realize that there are some things that we may never understand and, to that extent, should be humbled by that. Simon Conway Morris capitulationextentfact share on social
Most of the tree of life is effectively arranged. Simon Conway Morris arrangeeffectivelylife Change image and share on social
If you go to the octopus, and if you're not too squeamish, dissect it. You'll find that it has a camera eye which is remarkable similar to our own. And yet we know that the octopus belongs to an invertebrate group called cephalopod mulluses, evolutionarily very distant indeed from the chordates to which we belong. Simon Conway Morris belongcallcamera share on social
One can say with reasonable confidence that the likelihood of something analogous to a human evolving is really pretty high. Simon Conway Morris analogousconfidenceevolve 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
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
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
It is my opinion that human history can make no sense unless evil doings are recognized for what they are, and that they are bearable only if somehow they may be redeemed. Simon Conway Morris bearabledoingevil Change image and share on social