Stephen Jay Gould Quote

Hyper-selectionism has been with us for a long time in various guises; for it represents the late nineteenth century's scientific version of the myth of natural harmony—all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds (all structures well designed for a definite purpose in this case). It is, indeed, the vision of foolish Dr. Pangloss, so vividly satirized by Voltaire in Candide—the world is not necessarily good, but it is the best we could possibly have.


"Natural Selection and the Human Brain: Darwin vs. Wallace", p. 57 - The Panda's Thumb (1980)


Hyper-selectionism has been with us for a long time in various guises; for it represents the late nineteenth century's scientific version of the myth ...

Hyper-selectionism has been with us for a long time in various guises; for it represents the late nineteenth century's scientific version of the myth ...

Hyper-selectionism has been with us for a long time in various guises; for it represents the late nineteenth century's scientific version of the myth ...

Hyper-selectionism has been with us for a long time in various guises; for it represents the late nineteenth century's scientific version of the myth ...