Planets Quote by Charles Darwin
“We can allow satellites, planets, suns, universe, nay whole systems of universes, to be governed by laws, but the smallest insect, we wish to be created at once by special act.”
About This Quote
The quote contrasts the acceptance of natural laws governing cosmic scales with the desire for a special, non‑natural creation of the smallest life forms, highlighting a tension between scientific explanation and belief in divine intervention.
In simple terms: Science explains the cosmos; creationism seeks a special act for life.
Science vs. faith tension
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- debates on evolution vs. creationism
- educational curricula design
- public policy on science funding
- religious discussions about origins
Key Concepts
Practical Applications
- science education
- interfaith dialogue
Questions to Reflect On
- How does invoking special creation for small organisms affect our view of natural laws?
- What are the implications of treating different scales with different explanatory frameworks?
Some argue that invoking special creation for insects undermines scientific consistency across scales.