When people learn no tools of judgment and merely follow their hopes, the seeds of political manipulation are sown. Stephen Jay Gould followhopejudgment Change image and share on social
All evolutionary biologists know that variation itself is nature's only irreducible essence... I had to place myself amidst the variation. Stephen Jay Gould amidstbiologistessence Change image and share on social
If I don't make it, I'll be very sad that there are things I didn't do, but I'm happy that I've done what I have. Stephen Jay Gould happyhavemake Change image and share on social
The more important the subject and the closer it cuts to the bone of our hopes and needs, the more we are likely to err in establishing a framework for analysis. Stephen Jay Gould analysisboneclose Change image and share on social
Evolution is one of the two or three most primally fascinating subjects in all the sciences. Stephen Jay Gould evolutionfascinateprimally Change image and share on social
The most important scientific revolutions all include, as their only common feature, the dethronement of human arrogance from one pedestal after another of previous convictions about our centrality in the cosmos. Stephen Jay Gould arrogancecentralitycommon share on social
I don't think academic writing ever was wonderful. However, science used to be much less specialized. Stephen Jay Gould academicsciencespecialize Change image and share on social
Contrary to current cynicism about past golden ages, the abstraction known as 'the intelligent layperson' does exist - in the form of millions of folks with a passionate commitment to continuous learning. Stephen Jay Gould abstractionagecommitment share on social
In science, 'fact' can only mean 'confirmed to such a degree that it would be perverse to withhold provisional assent.' I suppose that apples might start to rise tomorrow, but the possibility does not merit equal time in physics classrooms. Stephen Jay Gould appleassentclassroom share on social
Nothing is more dangerous than a dogmatic worldview - nothing more constraining, more blinding to innovation, more destructive of openness to novelty. Stephen Jay Gould blindconstraindangerous Change image and share on social