--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The word 'living' has so many…" description: "\"The word 'living' has so many connotations that I'm almost reluctant to try to define it scientifically because it sounds as if I'm then downgrading al..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fe/francis-collins-5281_connotation_the-word-living-has-so-many-connotations_1129416.png" --- # The word 'living' has so many connotations that I'm almost… ![“The word 'living' has so many connotations that I'm almost reluctant to try to define it scientifically because it sounds as if I'm then downgrading all the other significances of that word.” quote by Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fe/francis-collins-5281_connotation_the-word-living-has-so-many-connotations_1129416.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fe/francis-collins-5281_connotation_the-word-living-has-so-many-connotations_1129416.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fe/francis-collins-5281_connotation_the-word-living-has-so-many-connotations_1129416.png) > “The word 'living' has so many connotations that I'm almost reluctant to try to define it scientifically because it sounds as if I'm then downgrading all the other significances of that word.” [Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Defining 'living' scientifically risks ignoring its rich, cultural meanings. **In simple terms:** Science may oversimplify life. Key Takeaway Balance scientific and cultural perspectives. Themes science definition culture Mood thoughtful introspective Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - biology research - anthropology - education - public discourse Key Concepts philosophy of life semantic richness Questions to Reflect On - What aspects of life are lost in scientific definitions? - How can we honor multiple meanings? A Different Perspective Scientific definitions can marginalize lived experiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Connotations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/connotations/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Reluctant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reluctant/) [Significance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/significance/) [Sound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sound/) ## Related quotes > [Apophenia means finding pattern or meaning where others don’t. Feelings of revelation and ecstasies usually accompany it. It has some negative connotations in psychological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-j-carroll/apophenia-means-finding-pattern-or-meaning-where-others-don-t/) [Peter J. Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-j-carroll/) > [Writing is more than just the making of a series of comprehensible statements: it is the gathering in of connotations; the harvesting of them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fay-weldon/writing-is-more-than-just-the-making-of-a-series-of-comprehensible/) [Fay Weldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fay-weldon/) > [“It is characteristic of poetic language that it gives us not simply the denotation of a word, but a whole cluster of connotations or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-eagleton/it-is-characteristic-of-poetic-language-that-it-gives-us-not-simply/) [Terry Eagleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-eagleton/) > [Although, this is often used with negative connotations, I see ideology as an inherent part of culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dario-fo/although-this-is-often-used-with-negative-connotations-i-see-ideology/) [Dario Fo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dario-fo/) > [I think sometimes there are negative connotations for those who have a business mind as well as a creative side.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-wang/i-think-sometimes-there-are-negative-connotations-for-those-who-have/) [Alexander Wang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-wang/) > [I question the negative connotations of fabric, of ribbon, of lace. I turn these symbols of our imprisonment around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miriam-schapiro/i-question-the-negative-connotations-of-fabric-of-ribbon-of-lace-i/) Miriam Schapiro > [Years ago, I thought up the name Queen...It's just a name, but it's very regal obviously, and it sounds splendid...It's a strong name, very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-mercury/years-ago-i-thought-up-the-name-queen-it-s-just-a-name-but-it-s-very/) [Freddie Mercury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-mercury/) > [The Word is living, being, spirit, all verdant greening, all creativity. This Word manifests itself in every creature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hildegard-of-bingen/the-word-is-living-being-spirit-all-verdant-greening-all-creativity/) [Hildegard of Bingen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hildegard-of-bingen/) > [It is notoriously difficult to define the word living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-crick/it-is-notoriously-difficult-to-define-the-word-living/) [Francis Crick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-crick/) > [I'm always weary of connotations. I don't want people to listen to the music I make presently because they liked my previous work, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dev-hynes/i-m-always-weary-of-connotations-i-don-t-want-people-to-listen-to-the/) [Dev Hynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dev-hynes/) > [There's some horrible connotations in the word 'reunion.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-brownstein/there-s-some-horrible-connotations-in-the-word-reunion/) [Carrie Brownstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-brownstein/) > [There are obviously a lot of negative connotations that go along with being a Diva. But to me, being a Diva is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carmella/there-are-obviously-a-lot-of-negative-connotations-that-go-along-with/) [Carmella](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carmella/) > [“Sensitive," I tried. Sam translated: "Squishy." "Creative." "Dangerously emo." "Thoughtful." "Feng shui." I laughed so hard I snorted. "How do you get feng shui…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/sensitive-i-tried-sam-translated-squishy-creative-dangerously-emo/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [Some of the words that pop up on the show have had terrible connotations. But that's the beauty of 'Countdown.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-riley/some-of-the-words-that-pop-up-on-the-show-have-had-terrible/) [Rachel Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-riley/) > [“Words in the head are sticky and social creatures – when you finally pull one out, you're liable to get lots of bits of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-carlson/words-in-the-head-are-sticky-and-social-creatures-when-you-finally/) [Greg Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-carlson/) ## More by Francis Collins > [The shelves of many evangelicals are full of books that point out the flaws in evolution, discuss it only as a theory, and almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/the-shelves-of-many-evangelicals-are-full-of-books-that-point-out-the/) [Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/) > [ \[Decoding the human genome sequence\] is the most significant undertaking that we have mounted so far in an organized way in all of science.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/decoding-the-human-genome-sequence-is-the-most-significant/) [Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/) > [By committing the scientific method to religious claims you're committing a logical fallacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/by-committing-the-scientific-method-to-religious-claims-you-re/) [Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/) > [All illnesses have some heredity contribution. It's been said that genetics loads the gun and environment pulls the trigger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/all-illnesses-have-some-heredity-contribution-it-s-been-said-that/) [Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/) > [ As you kind of get over the anxiety about \[science and evolution\], it actually adds to your sense of awe about this amazing universe… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/as-you-kind-of-get-over-the-anxiety-about-science-and-evolution-it/) [Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/) > [Successful weight management really means a permanent change in lifestyle - and success in this arena provides that person with a great opportunity to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/successful-weight-management-really-means-a-permanent-change-in/) [Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/) > [I trained initially as a physical chemist, and then, after becoming interested in biology, I went to medical school and learned how to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/i-trained-initially-as-a-physical-chemist-and-then-after-becoming/) [Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/) > [I think there are people who's lives have been saved because of the study of the genome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/i-think-there-are-people-who-s-lives-have-been-saved-because-of-the/) [Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/) > [I finished up my graduate degree in quantum mechanics, but underwent a bit of a personal crisis, recognizing that I didn't want to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/i-finished-up-my-graduate-degree-in-quantum-mechanics-but-underwent-a/) [Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/) > [One must dig deeply into opposing points of view in order to know whether your own position remains defensible. Iron sharpens iron.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/one-must-dig-deeply-into-opposing-points-of-view-in-order-to-know/) [Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/) > [Genes are effectively one-dimensional. If you write down the sequence of A, C, G and T, that's kind of what you need to know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/genes-are-effectively-one-dimensional-if-you-write-down-the-sequence/) [Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/) > [By investigating God's majestic and awesome creation, science can actually be a means of worship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/by-investigating-god-s-majestic-and-awesome-creation-science-can/) [Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/) > [Science is...a powerful way, indeed - to study the natural world. Science is not particularly effective...in making commentary about the supernatural world. Both worlds,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/science-is-a-powerful-way-indeed-to-study-the-natural-world-science/) [Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/) > [I became an atheist because, as a graduate student studying quantum physics, life seemed to be reducible to second-order differential equations. Mathematics, chemistry and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/i-became-an-atheist-because-as-a-graduate-student-studying-quantum/) [Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/) > [We give our kids vaccinations. That's a biological enhancement that's considered not just acceptable but actually admirable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/we-give-our-kids-vaccinations-that-s-a-biological-enhancement-that-s/) [Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/) [Explore all 102 Francis Collins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/) ## More Connotation quotes > [It's a pity that there's such a negative connotation about paying for sex.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-sprinkle/it-s-a-pity-that-there-s-such-a-negative-connotation-about-paying-for/) [Annie Sprinkle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-sprinkle/) > [Each one of us has a 'wanna-be' in us. 'Wanna-be' is a sweet term used with a negative connotation. I also love being a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunil-grover/each-one-of-us-has-a-wanna-be-in-us-wanna-be-is-a-sweet-term-used/) [Sunil Grover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunil-grover/) > [I believe people ought to be treated fairly under the law. I see no reason why if the marriage contract conveys certain things that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-believe-people-ought-to-be-treated-fairly-under-the-law-i-see-no/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [Altermodern is an in-progress redefinition of modernity in the era of globalisation, stressing the experience of wandering in time, space and mediums. The term…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-bourriaud/altermodern-is-an-in-progress-redefinition-of-modernity-in-the-era-of/) Nicolas Bourriaud > [Being blond is definitely a different state of mind. I can't really put my finger on it, but the artifice of being blond has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madonna-ciccone/being-blond-is-definitely-a-different-state-of-mind-i-can-t-really/) [Madonna Ciccone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madonna-ciccone/) > [Whenever I hear someone describe something as a 'kids movie' or a 'family movie,' it immediately has a negative connotation in my mind because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-carell/whenever-i-hear-someone-describe-something-as-a-kids-movie-or-a/) [Steve Carell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-carell/) > [I get told I'm a confessional songwriter, which gets on my tits because I think of negative connotations attached to the word "confessional". I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-orton/i-get-told-i-m-a-confessional-songwriter-which-gets-on-my-tits/) [Beth Orton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-orton/) > [In most circles, the idea of economic planning has been in disrepute most of the time and, particularly in America, has almost carried connotations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gunnar-myrdal/in-most-circles-the-idea-of-economic-planning-has-been-in-disrepute/) [Gunnar Myrdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gunnar-myrdal/) > [Women need to take charge of their lives and be as dynamic and active as they can be. I know that some people feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-poehler/women-need-to-take-charge-of-their-lives-and-be-as-dynamic-and-active/) [Amy Poehler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-poehler/) > [I am a Libertarian. I want to be known as a Libertarian and a Constitutionalist in the tradition of the early James Madison -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/i-am-a-libertarian-i-want-to-be-known-as-a-libertarian-and-a/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [I have an addictive personality. Sport is my drug of choice these days. It's one of the best drugs there is. It keeps you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chrissie-wellington/i-have-an-addictive-personality-sport-is-my-drug-of-choice-these-days/) [Chrissie Wellington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chrissie-wellington/) > [Apparently, despite my awareness of its pejorative connotation, procrastinating is something I fall victim to quite frequently. I'm not proud of it; I'm just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-nichols/apparently-despite-my-awareness-of-its-pejorative-connotation/) [Rachel Nichols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-nichols/) > [I'm no diva but I can be annoying in a recording studio. Of course I try to be a diva in terms of confidence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-scherzinger/i-m-no-diva-but-i-can-be-annoying-in-a-recording-studio-of-course-i/) [Nicole Scherzinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-scherzinger/) > [Without the connotation good or bad, bin Laden's a great man in the sense that he's influenced the course of history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-scheuer/without-the-connotation-good-or-bad-bin-laden-s-a-great-man-in-the/) [Michael Scheuer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-scheuer/) > [I like a narrative, even if it's fractured, or kind of psychedelic. But my favorite thing is if I hear words and I close…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-malkmus/i-like-a-narrative-even-if-it-s-fractured-or-kind-of-psychedelic-but/) [Stephen Malkmus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-malkmus/) Browse all 145 Connotation quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The word 'living' has so many connotations that I'm almost reluctant to try to define it scientifically because it sounds as if I'm then downgrading all the other significances of that word.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Francis Collins" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/the-word-living-has-so-many-connotations-that-i-m-almost-reluctant-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Connotation" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/the-word-living-has-so-many-connotations-that-i-m-almost-reluctant-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fe/francis-collins-5281_connotation_the-word-living-has-so-many-connotations_1129416.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fe/francis-collins-5281_connotation_the-word-living-has-so-many-connotations_1129416.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fe/francis-collins-5281_connotation_the-word-living-has-so-many-connotations_1129416.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The word 'living' has so many connotations that I'm almost reluctant to try to define it scientifically…” — Francis Collins", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Francis Collins", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The word 'living' has so many...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/the-word-living-has-so-many-connotations-that-i-m-almost-reluctant-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/the-word-living-has-so-many-connotations-that-i-m-almost-reluctant-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```