And no one has the right to say that no water-babies…
“And no one has the right to say that no water-babies exist, till they have seen no water-babies existing; which is quite a different thing, mind, from not seeing water-babies; and a thing which nobody ever did, or perhaps will ever do. But surely ... they would have put it into spirits, or into the Illustrated News, or perhaps cut it into two halves, poor dear little thing, and sent one to Professor Owen, and one to Professor Huxley, to see what they would each say about it.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
One cannot claim something doesn’t exist without evidence; skepticism requires proof, not mere absence of observation.
In simple terms: Skepticism needs evidence, not just lack of sight.
Key Takeaway
Require evidence before dismissing claims.
Themes
skepticism
evidence
logic
philosophy of science
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
inquisitive
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- debate
- education
- policy making
Key Concepts
empiricism
burden of proof
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- What standards of proof do you accept?
- How do you handle claims lacking evidence?
A Different Perspective
Evidence may be inaccessible, leaving uncertainty.