Darwin Quote by George Eliot
“If Darwin's theory should be true, it will not degrade man; it will simply raise the whole animal world into dignity, leaving man as far in advance as he is at present”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Literary criticism, 19th century
If Darwin's theory is correct, it elevates all animals, including humans, without diminishing humanity.
In simple terms: Darwin's theory raises dignity of all animals, including humans.
Key Takeaway
Embrace scientific understanding while honoring human worth.
Themes
science
humanism
evolution
ethics
Mood
thoughtful
inspirational
Type
philosophical
scientific
When to use this quote
- education
- public discourse
- ethical debates
Key Concepts
evolutionary theory
philosophical anthropology
moral progress
Questions to Reflect On
- How does evolutionary theory affect our view of human exceptionalism?
- Can dignity be grounded without religious frameworks?
![“[W]e must learn to accommodate ourselves to the discovery that some of those cunningly-fashioned instruments called human souls have only a very limited range of music, and will not vibrate in the least under a touch that fills others with tremulous rapture or quivering agony.” quote by George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9be/george-eliot-84_agony_w-e-must-learn-to-accommodate-ourselves_12409.jpg)
![“[Religious belief is] outmoded and ridiculous. [Belief in gods was a] worn out but once useful crutch in mankind's journey towards truth. We consider the time has come for that crutch to be abandoned. It is a vacuous answer... To say that 'God made the world' is simply a more or less sophisticated…” quote by P.W. Atkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4df/p-w-atkins-58341_answers_religious-belief-is-outmoded-and-ridicul_151446.jpg)
![“[Charles] Darwin, for example, is the one who made us face the fact that the primary way we tell the Christ story doesn't work anymore.” quote by John Shelby Spong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1a9/john-shelby-spong-1488_christ_charles-darwin-for-example-is-the-one-wh_194036.jpg)
