What an odd time to be a fundamentalist about adaptation and natural selection - when each major subdiscipline of evolutionary biology has been discovering other mechanisms as adjuncts to selection's centrality. Stephen Jay Gould adaptationadjunctbiology share on social
At a minimum, in explaining evolutionary pathways through time, the constraints imposed by history rise to equal prominence with the immediate advantages of adaptation. Stephen Jay Gould adaptationadvantageconstraint Change image and share on social
Few tragedies can be more extensive than the stunting of life, few injustices deeper than the denial of an opportunity to strive or even to hope, by a limit imposed from without, but falsely identified as lying within. Stephen Jay Gould deepdenialextensive share on social
With copious evidence ranging from Plato's haughtiness to Beethoven's tirades, we may conclude that the most brilliant people of history tend to be a prickly lot. Stephen Jay Gould beethovenbrilliantconclude Change image and share on social
Science is not a heartless pursuit of objective information. It is a creative human activity, its geniuses acting more as artists than as information processors. Stephen Jay Gould actactivityartist Change image and share on social
A lot of scientists hate writing. Most scientists love being in the lab and doing the work and when the work is done, they are finished. Stephen Jay Gould finishhatelab Change image and share on social
The most erroneous stories are those we think we know best - and therefore never scrutinize or question. Stephen Jay Gould erroneousquestionscrutinize Change image and share on social
Look in the mirror, and don't be tempted to equate transient domination with either intrinsic superiority or prospects for extended survival. Stephen Jay Gould dominationequateextend Change image and share on social
Death is the ultimate enemy - and I find nothing reproachable in those who rage mightily against the dying of the light. Stephen Jay Gould deathdieenemy Change image and share on social
