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Every great scientific truth goes through three stages…

“Every great scientific truth goes through three stages. First, people say it conflicts with the Bible. Next they say it has been discovered before. Lastly they say they always believed it.” quote by Louis Agassiz
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““Every great scientific truth goes through three stages. First, people say it conflicts with the Bible. Next they say it has been discovered before. Lastly they say they always believed it.””

Louis Agassiz

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Scientific truths face three reactions: conflict with religion, claims of prior discovery, then acceptance as obvious.

In simple terms: Science meets resistance, then becomes accepted.

Key Takeaway

Expect resistance, persist.

Themes

science religion history of ideas

Mood

analytical historical

Type

educational inspirational

When to use this quote

  • public policy debates
  • education curricula
  • media reporting

Key Concepts

paradigm shift cognitive bias

Questions to Reflect On

  • Why do people cling to religious objections?
  • How does hindsight bias shape scientific narratives?
A Different Perspective

Some stages may be oversimplified.

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