William Jennings Bryan - Hypothesis Quotes

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The first objection to Darwinism is that it is only a guess and was never anything more. It is called a hypothesis, but the word hypothesis, though euphonioous, dignified and high-sounding, is merely a scientific synonym for the old-fashioned word guess. If Darwin had advanced his views as a guess they would not have survived for a year, but they have floated for half a century, buoyed up by the inflated word hypothesis. When it is understood that hypothesis means guess, people will inspect it more carefully before accepting it.

William Jennings Bryan
The only part of evolution in which any considerable interest is felt is evolution applied to man. A hypothesis in regard to the rocks and plant life does not affect the philosophy upon which one's life is built. Evolution applied to fish, birds and beasts would not materially affect man's view of his own responsibilities except as the acceptance of an unsupported hypothesis as to these would be used to support a similar hypothesis as to man. The evolution that is harmful—distinctly so—is the evolution that destroys man's family tree as taught by the Bible and makes him a descendant of the lower forms of life. This … is a very vital matter.

William Jennings Bryan
The real question is, Did God use evolution as His plan? If it could be shown that man, instead of being made in the image of God, is a development of beasts we would have to accept it, regardless of its effort, for truth is truth and must prevail. But when there is no proof we have a right to consider the effect of the acceptance of an unsupported hypothesis.

William Jennings Bryan