Accepted Quote by Fred Hoyle
“It is ironic that the scientific facts throw Darwin out, but leave William Paley, a figure of fun to the scientific world for more than a century, still in the tournament with a chance of being the ultimate winner... Indeed, such a theory is so obvious that one wonders why it is not widely accepted as being self-evident. The reasons are psychological rather than scientific.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Unknown, likely from a public talk on science and religion
Scientific evidence often challenges religious ideas, yet some arguments persist due to psychological biases rather than data.
In simple terms: Science vs belief is shaped by mind.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions behind accepted ideas.
Themes
science
religion
psychology
Mood
skeptical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- debates
- education
- public discourse
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
philosophy of science
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do some theories remain popular despite weak evidence?
- What role does comfort play in belief?
A Different Perspective
Psychological factors can outweigh empirical proof.
![“One [idea] was that the Universe started its life a finite time ago in a single huge explosion, and that the present expansion is a relic of the violence of this explosion. This big bang idea seemed to me to be unsatisfactory even before detailed examination showed that it leads to serious…” quote by Fred Hoyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6ef/fred-hoyle-11367_bangs_one-idea-was-that-the-universe-started-i_184196.jpg)
![“Earlier theories ... were based on the hypothesis that all the matter in the universe was created in one big bang at a particular time in the remote past. [Coining the "big bang" expression.]” quote by Fred Hoyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e64/fred-hoyle-11367_bangs_earlier-theories-were-based-on-the-hypot_791698.jpg)
![“We have reached a situation where a theory has been accepted as fact by some, and possible contrary evidence is shunted aside. [This is] mythology rather than science.” quote by Robert Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c31/robert-shapiro-26969_accepted_we-have-reached-a-situation-where-a-theo_19120.jpg)
