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
We are glorious accidents of an unpredictable process with no drive to complexity, not the expected results of evolutionary principles that yearn to produce a creature capable of understanding the mode of its own necessary construction. Stephen Jay Gould accidentcapablecomplexity share on social
I love the wry motto of the Paleontological Society, meant both literally and figuratively, for hammers are the main tool of our trade: Frango ut patefaciam - I break in order to reveal. Stephen Jay Gould breakfigurativelyfrango Change image and share on social
The proof of evolution lies in those adaptations that arise from improbable foundations. Stephen Jay Gould adaptationariseevolution 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
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
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
Science is an integral part of culture. It's not this foreign thing, done by an arcane priesthood. It's one of the glories of the human intellectual tradition. Stephen Jay Gould arcanecultureforeign Change image and share on social
I dreamed of becoming a scientist, in general, and a paleontologist, in particular, ever since the Tyrannosaurus skeleton awed and scared me. Stephen Jay Gould awedreamgeneral 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
