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.

Quote by Stephen Jay Gould

Topics: Stephen Jay Gould Quotes

The most important scientific revolutions all include, as their only common feature, the dethronement of...

The most important scientific revolutions all include, as their only common feature, the dethronement of...

When people learn no tools of judgment and merely follow their hopes, the seeds of...

When people learn no tools of judgment and merely follow their hopes, the seeds of...

Look in the mirror, and don't be tempted to equate transient domination with either intrinsic...

Look in the mirror, and don't be tempted to equate transient domination with either intrinsic...

The most important scientific revolutions all include, as their only common feature, the dethronement of...

The most important scientific revolutions all include, as their only common feature, the dethronement of...

No rational order of divine intelligence unites species. The natural ties are genealogical along contingent...

No rational order of divine intelligence unites species. The natural ties are genealogical along contingent...

Few tragedies can be more extensive than the stunting of life, few injustices deeper than...

Few tragedies can be more extensive than the stunting of life, few injustices deeper than...

The more important the subject and the closer it cuts to the bone of our...

The more important the subject and the closer it cuts to the bone of our...

The most erroneous stories are those we think we know best - and therefore never...

The most erroneous stories are those we think we know best - and therefore never...

The proof of evolution lies in those adaptations that arise from improbable foundations.

The proof of evolution lies in those adaptations that arise from improbable foundations.

Nothing is more dangerous than a dogmatic worldview - nothing more constraining, more blinding to...

Nothing is more dangerous than a dogmatic worldview - nothing more constraining, more blinding to...

Science is an integral part of culture. It's not this foreign thing, done by an...

Science is an integral part of culture. It's not this foreign thing, done by an...

Facts do not 'speak for themselves', they are read in the light of theory

Facts do not 'speak for themselves', they are read in the light of theory

We are glorious accidents of an unpredictable process with no drive to complexity, not the...

We are glorious accidents of an unpredictable process with no drive to complexity, not the...

Creationist critics often charge that evolution cannot be tested, and therefore cannot be viewed as...

Creationist critics often charge that evolution cannot be tested, and therefore cannot be viewed as...

We pass through this world but once.

We pass through this world but once.

The most important scientific revolutions all include, as their only common feature, the dethronement of...

The most important scientific revolutions all include, as their only common feature, the dethronement of...

Any revolutionary agitation exacts enormous sacrifices, not so much in terms of prison sentences and...

Any revolutionary agitation exacts enormous sacrifices, not so much in terms of prison sentences and...

Revolution is an idea which has found its bayonets

Revolution is an idea which has found its bayonets

Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.

Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.

When liberty comes with hands dabbled in blood it is hard to shake hands with...

When liberty comes with hands dabbled in blood it is hard to shake hands with...

The Internet's been so great, and it's so nice to have fans do nice, elaborate...

The Internet's been so great, and it's so nice to have fans do nice, elaborate...